POETIC DEVICESand

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

POETIC DEVICE

A technique or tool used in

poetry

FORM

Form is the way a poem looks.

LINESThe number of lines in a poem may vary.They may or may not be complete sentences.

STANZASStanzas are lines separated into groups.

The number of lines in each stanza may vary.

RHYMERhyme is when words end with the same sound.

RHYTHMRhythm is the beat of the poem.

REPETITIONRepetition is the repeating of sounds, words, phrases, or lines.

ALLITERATIONAlliteration is the repetition of similar beginning sounds and consonants (like tongue twisters).

ONOMATOPOEIAOnomatopoeia is when a word’s sound suggests its meaning. Ex: buzz, swish, bang

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

Figurative language helps us picture

ordinary things in a new way.

SIMILEA simile compares two unlike things using like or as.Ex: He was as sly as a fox.

METAPHORA metaphor is an implied comparison of two unlike things. It doesn’t use like or as.Ex: Laughter is the best medicine.

PERSONIFICATIONPersonification is when animals or objects are given human characteristics.Ex: The wind whispered to the trees.

HYPERBOLEExtreme exaggeration; usually meant to be funny.

Ex. It was a million degrees in the shade.

IDIOMAn idiom is a phrase or expression that has a different meaning from what it actually says.

Ex. You’re driving me up the wall!

It’s raining cats and dogs.