Poetry is a way that writers can express their emotions and thoughts. What separates poetry from prose (the writing that you see in novels) is its form and its words. Oftentimes, poets use literary devices and descriptive language in order to communicate their thoughts to their readers. Below are some common literary devices that are used in poems.
Sound Devices
Sound Devices
- Onomatopoeia: the use of words that imitate sounds. (Example: "The bee was buzzing all around my ear," or "The clock cuckooed every hour and woke me up in the middle of the night.")
- Alliteration: the repetition of the first consonant (letters that are not vowels) sound in a series of words. (Example: "The curious cat cat clawed the couch," or "She sells seashells by the seashore.")
- Repetition: the repetition of words, phrases, or sentences. (Example: "And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep," or "Never never never.")
- Rhyme scheme: the pattern of the poem's rhyming words at the end of lines of poems. This is done in order to create a sense of rhythm in the poem. Look at the example below:
"I Wrote Myself A Letter" by Kenn Nesbitt
I wrote myself a letter. (a)
I mailed it right away. (b)
And, sure enough, the carrier, (c)
delivered it today. (b)
I couldn't wait to get it. (d)
I nearly had to shout. (e)
I quickly tore the envelope (f)
and pulled the letter out. (e)
I anxiously unfolded it (g)
but now I must concede, (h)
I'm clueless as to what it says. (i)
I haven't learned to read. (h)
I wrote myself a letter. (a)
I mailed it right away. (b)
And, sure enough, the carrier, (c)
delivered it today. (b)
I couldn't wait to get it. (d)
I nearly had to shout. (e)
I quickly tore the envelope (f)
and pulled the letter out. (e)
I anxiously unfolded it (g)
but now I must concede, (h)
I'm clueless as to what it says. (i)
I haven't learned to read. (h)
Comparison Devices
- Simile: when you compare two things, using the words "like" or "as." The two things that are compared usually have a similar qualities. (Example: "The detective was like a bloodhound after its prey.")
- Metaphor: when you compare two things with similar qualities, by saying that something IS something else. (Example: "The cat's eyes were two sparking green jewels," or "Her home was a prison.")
- Personification: when you give an inanimate (non-moving/non-living) object or idea human qualities, like talking, moving, etc. (Example: "Your plants are begging for water," or "The sun greets me in the morning.")
Descriptive Devices
- Imagery: the use of descriptive language that appeals to one or more of the five sense - seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, smelling. (Example: "Jonathan poured the thick, sweet syrup over the steaming stack of buttery pancakes," or "The bitter, disgusting scent of tar was floating through the windows.")
- Hyperbole: an exaggerated statement used to emphasize or express a point. (Example: "It's raining cats and dogs today!" or "I've told you a million times!")
- Symbolism: when an author uses an object to represent an abstract idea. (Example: The American flag is a symbol of freedom and independence.)
tips for writing strong poems
1. Include the poetic devices listed above!
2. Choose more powerful words or synonyms.
2. Choose more powerful words or synonyms.
(BEFORE)
My best friend and I used to pretend we were horses. We cantered up hills, jumped over fences and then went down to the creek to rest under the old tree-- our hair tangled--sweaty--wild. Then I heard my mother call to come clean up for supper. |
(AFTER)
My best friend and I changed into wild horses. We galloped on lawns, jumped over fences, and cantered up hills, tangled manes trailing behind us. We ran towards the creek sipped the cold water, and pawed the ground with our hooves. Then with tired winnies walked to the pool of shade underneath the tree to rest--and changed back into girls just in time for supper. |
3. Play with line breaks. You can use line breaks to: (1) emphasize a particular word or words, (2) to change the pace/mood of the poem, (3) to create tension.
She loved
the sound of the wind in the trees. |
She
loved the sound of the wind in the trees. |
4. Play with "white space."
5. Experiment with punctuation and font size. For example:
(BEFORE)
I would think I was stupid for trying I would go home and spend my night crying I would be truly devastated I would become very agitated |
(AFTER)
I, would think I was stupid for trying I, would go home and spend my night crying I, would be truly devastated I, would become very agitated |
poetry types & structures
Poems can be free verse, which means that it has no specific structure or rhyme scheme. But, poetry can also have a very specific form, structure, and rhyme scheme. Haikus, pantoums, acrostics, sonnets, limericks - these are just some form of poetry that you might want to try. Look at this website to learn more about the different types of poetry and try to write some of your own using those structures and rules!