Figurative Language & Devices in Poetry Name: ______

Term/Device Definition Example of How it is Used in Poetry 1. simile A comparison of two things (that may or Lisa looks like a total fox today. not be alike) using the words like or as. Bob is hungry as a wolf.

2. metaphor A comparison of two unlike things without Bob is a hungry wolf. using like or as. (Things = person, place, Lisa is a fox. thing, or thought) This class is my ticket out of EHS.

3. personification A type of metaphor in which non-human The wind whispered her name. things or ideas possess human qualities or Love is blind. actions.

4. alliteration The repetition of a consonant sound at the The dark dance of death whisked her away. beginning of neighboring words. (Consonants Like a lucky charm, he looks on. are all the letters except a, e, i, o, u, and y.) Summer is the sweaty circus scents.

5. assonance The repetition of vowel sounds (within Talking and walking, hours on end. stressed syllables) of neighboring words. A turtle in the fertile soil. (Vowels are a, e, i, o, u, and y.)

6. onomatopoeia Words which imitate the sound they refer The eagle whizzed past the buzzing bees. to. Rip-roar fire, the gun stutters on. Plop, plop, fizz, fizz. Oh! What a relief it is. (from an Alka- Seltzer ad) 7. rhyme: Words which end with the same sounds, So go ahead and preach, true/pure rhyme usually at the end of lines. ‘cause I’m the one you teach.

8. rhyme: Rhyme within a line. Bright night, a full moon above. internal rhyme We will stay today and then we must go. It’s a play day and we’re feeling good. Figurative Language & Devices in Poetry Name: ______

Term/Device Definition Example of How it is Used in Poetry 9. Cliché a trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or They all lived happily ever after. phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost The calm before the storm. originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse. Waking up on the wrong side of the bed. 10. Imagery the descriptive words or phrases a writer uses Ex: The tornado twisted through the town hurling hail and to represent persons, objects, actions, rain. feelings and ideas to appeal to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste & touch). The wind twisted my hair as the sand peppered my face and the cold water wrapped around my toes. 11. hyperbole An obvious and deliberate exaggeration (to He could eat a horse. emphasize something or for humorous She cried for days. purposes). Running faster than the speed of light. I had a ton of homework. 12. irony Irony: Saying the opposite of what you Irony ex.: The directions were as clear as mud. actually mean. Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink.

13. Paradox Paradox: A statement that seems to Paradox ex.: contradict or oppose itself, yet actually reveals Youth is wasted on the young. some truth. The less you have, the more you are free. Her silence was deafening.

14. Oxymoron two opposite or contradictory words linked Jumbo shrimp together. The Living dead A Dark light filled the room

15. Idiom An accepted phrase or expression having It’s time to hit the books! a figurative meaning different from the Let the cat out of the bag. literal. Figurative Language & Devices in Poetry Name: ______

Term/Device Definition Example of How it is Used in Poetry 16. Extended A metaphor which compares two unlike things Metaphor: comparing Juliet & the sun. metaphor for a sustained amount of time; usually over But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? the entire piece or stanza. “ It is the East, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief.” (Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet) 17. Symbolism The use of symbols or objects to represent EX: Symbolism of emotions through the colors certain elements in a literary work. Roses are red,Violets are blue… EX: Harry Potter’s scar symbolizes a badge of honor for surviving Voldemort’s attack. 18. Allusion A reference made to a literary, mythological, “Did you see that Hercules move he made?” or historical person, place or thing. “It’s pouring rain, better get the ark!”

19. Tone The writer’s attitude or feeling expressed The kindergarten class was filled with booger monsters. in the poem. Tone can be light-hearted, (negative tone) The delightful class was a buzz with serious, optimistic, etc. beautiful children ablaze with happiness! (positive tone) 20. Mood the atmosphere or feeling the READER Behind the door I found blood which glistened in the night, feels by a literary work. Mood shifts can Whispering silent secrets about the past hour, occur in the literary work. To which I turned to find fright, Alas! It’s my turn to cower!