Poetic Terms & Figures of Speech

Poetic Terms & Figures of Speech

Stanza • - a section of a poem, usually composed of two or more lines of verse usually characterized by the same rhyme, rhythm, or number of lines.

Rhyme • -the repetition of the same sound. • Example: • bed/read/said • bop/mop/top • night/light

Rhyme Scheme • -the rhyming pattern of the poem, organized and noted by letters of the alphabet -usually written in a form like AABB, ABAB, ABAC, etc. What is the rhyme scheme of the following example? Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. ____________

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening By: Robert Frost Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound’s the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. In small groups, analyze Robert Frost’s poem for imagery. -What images do you see in your mind when you listen to/read the poem? -Why are these images in your head? -What descriptive words or figurative language provide you with images? -What senses is the imagery using? Is there another sense besides sight that you are noticing?

Alliteration -The repetition of the same consonant sound or letter at the beginning of words that are close together Alliteration has a very vital role in poetry and prose. It creates a musical effect in the text that enhances the pleasure of reading a literary piece. It makes reading and recitation of the poems attractive and appealing; thus, making them easier to learn by heart and memorize. • In the marketing industry, alliteration makes the brand names interesting and easier to remember. This literary device is helpful in attracting customers and enhancing sales. • -Park Place -Coca-Cola -Bed Bath & Beyond -Best Buy

Alliteration Examples • - But a better butter makes a batter better. - Anxious ants avoid the anteater's advances. • - Squawking seagulls swoop on sunbathers. - The wild winds whisk to the west. • From Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” • “The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, • The furrow followed free; • We were the first that ever burst • Into that silent sea.” • In the above lines we see alliteration (“b”, “f” and “s”) in the phrases “breeze blew”, “foam flew”, “furrow followed free”, and “silent sea”.

Simile • - a figure of speech in which two unlike things are compared using “like” or “as” • Similes are used in poetry to create different effects and to create an image of comparison in the reader’s mind of what the writer is describing. Simile allows readers to relate the feelings of a writer or a poet to their personal experiences. The use of similes makes it easier for the readers to understand a poem and its meaning. Similes can offer new perspectives and new ways to see the world. • Examples: • Your eyes are like sparkling diamonds. • He was as slow as a snail. • Her dreams blew away like the small wisps of a dandelion.

Can you find the comparison? • Example #1: • “Elderly American ladies leaning on their canes listed toward me like towers of Pisa.” • (Taken from a short story Lolita written by Vladimir Nabokov) • Example #2: • O my Luve's like a red, red rose, / That's newly sprung in June: / O my Luve's likethe melodie, / That's sweetly play'd in tune. • (“Red Red Rose" by Robert Burns)

Metaphor • -a figure of speech in which two unlike things are compared without using the words “like” or “as” • Metaphors are used in all types of literature, but are found most often in poetry because poems are meant to communicate complex images and feelings to the readers and metaphors often state the comparisons most emotively. Metaphors are also ways of thinking, offering the listeners and the readers fresh ways of examining ideas and viewing the world. • A popular example: • In simple English, when you portray a person, place, thing, or an action as being something else, even though it is not actuallythat “something else,” you are speaking metaphorically. “He is the black sheep of the family” is a metaphor because he is not a sheep and is not even black. However, we can use this comparison to describe an association of a black sheep with that person. A black sheep is an unusual animal and typically stays away from the herd, and the person you are describing shares similar characteristics.

Metaphor Examples • Examples: • -My brother was boiling mad. (This implies he was too angry.) • -The assignment was a breeze. (This implies that the assignment was not difficult.) • -Her voice is music to his ears. (This implies that her voice makes him feel happy.) Can you find the comparison in the metaphors below? • -He couldn't stand because his legs were rubber. • - “All the world’s indeed a stage, and we are merely players.” • (Limelight by Rush)

Onomatopoeia • -words that imitate sounds associated with the object or actions they refer to • -words that imitate the sound of a thing • Onomatopoeia creates a sound effect that mimics the thing described, making the description more expressive and interesting. Onomatopoeia describes words that are used in place of where a reader should hear sounds. • Examples: Pop Snap Boom Crackle Buzz Whoosh Slurp Whizz Meow Zing Splat Tweet

Onomatopoeia Examples • What is the onomatopoeic word(s) in the following examples? • Example #1: • “It went zip when it moved and bop when it stopped, • And whirr when it stood still. • I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will.” • (“The Marvelous Toy” by Tom Paxton) • Example #2: • “I’m getting married in the morning! • Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime.” • (“Get Me to the Church on Time,” by Lerner and Loewe)

Personification • -a figure of speech in which a thing, an idea, or an animal is given human-like characteristics or qualities • The non-human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the ability to act like human beings. With personification, speakers and writers make the object or idea like a person and they personify it. • For example, when we say, “The sky weeps” we are giving the sky the ability to cry, which is a human quality, and not a quality that the sky actually has. The sky does not actually cry. Thus, we can say that the sky has been personified. • Other examples: • “Night swallowed the sun’s last ray of light.” • “My alarm clock yells at me every morning.”

Personification Examples • What is being personified in the following examples? And how? • Suzie heard the last piece of pie calling her name. • The thunder grumbled like an old man. • Ten thousand daffodils saw I at a glance, • Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. • The waves beside them danced; but they • Out-did the sparkling waves in glee • ("I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" by William Wordsworth)

Assonance -the repetition of similar vowel sounds. Often identified by sound, not by spelling. Examples: • Goand mow the lawn. • The engineer held the steering wheel to steer the vehicle. • I tried to fly but I crashed and cried. • What repeating vowel sounds are there in the example below? • A host, of golden daffodils; • Beside the lake, beneath the trees, • Fluttering and dancing in the breeze…” • (“Daffodils” by William Wordsworth)

Consonance • -the close repetition of similar consonant sounds. • *Unlike alliteration in that the repeating consonant sound may be found in the MIDDLE or END of the word. • * Consonance may have different vowel sounds within the words. • Examples: • pitter patter • All mammals named Sam are clammy. What repeating consonant sound can you find the in following example? • He struck a streak of bad luck. • Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Writing Prompt Respond to 1 or both of these images in your poetry book. 1. Write about/describe the images as descriptively as you can (look at the vivid colours for inspiration). 2. Write down as many literary devices as you can think of that are inspired by the images (example: The mountain tops glowed like the flame of a candle (simile)). Make sure to write down what literary device you have just used.

Hyperbole • -an extreme exaggeration for dramatic effect • -an overstatement • It is important not to confuse hyperbole with simile and metaphor. It does make a comparison but unlike simile and metaphor, hyperbole has a humorous effect created by an exaggeration. • Examples: • Your suitcase weighs a ton. • She was as heavy as an elephant. • Jack was thirsty enough to drink the Old Man River dry.

Oxymoron • - two words placed close together which are contradictory, yet have truth in them. • Examples: • Jumbo shrimp • Parting is such sweet sorrow (sweet and sorrow contradict) • Deafening silence • Act naturally

Paradox - a statement that contradicts itself and yet might be true. - may be silly or humorous, and may also sum up the main theme of the text. Examples: • "A little pain never hurt anyone.” • "A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business." – Henry Ford • “I know one thing: that I know nothing.” -Socrates (via Plato)

Allusion • - a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, religions, literary or political significance • It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers. It is just a passing comment and the writer expects the reader to possess enough knowledge to spot the allusion and grasp its importance in a text. • Examples: • “Don’t act like a Romeo in front of her.” – (“Romeo” is a reference to Shakespeare’s Romeo from “Romeo and Juliet”) • “This place is like a Garden of Eden.” – (This is a biblical allusion) • You're a regular Einstein. – (allusion to a historical figure)

Acrostic Poems • -a type of poem in which the first letter/syllable/or word of each line spells out • another message. • Example: • Hockey • Hockey is my favorite sportOn the ice or streetCool and funKeep on playingExercise and strongerYou should try

Acrostic Poems Pretty and proper, the purebred knows she looks good. Raging to fly, to hunt birds, and run free. Excited whenever you come through the door, She has to bring you a toy, sometimes 4 or more! Loveable and cuddly, she has always fit in- Even when she eats the turkey at Christmas, or keeps you awake with her Yelping while she sleeps during her puppy dog dreams.

Haiku • - a Japanese poem that contains three lines with 17 syllables. The lines in a haiku do not have to rhyme. • -Line one has 5 syllables, line two has 7 syllables, and line three has 5 syllables. • Examples: The bee flies quickly. It turns around and stings me. Then falls to the ground. Japanese poem, Of seventeen syllables, Five, seven and five. Remember: 5-7-5

Limerick • - a silly, humorous poem, with five lines. It has an AABBA rhyme scheme. The poem contains five lines: the 1st, 2nd, and 5th lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables (usually 8 or 9), the 3rd and 4th lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables (usually 5 or 6). • Limericks often start with “There once was a…” or “There was a…” • Example: • There was an Old Man with a gong, • Who bumped at it all day long; • But they called out, 'O law! • You're a horrid old bore!' • So they smashed that Old Man with a gong. A A B B A

Imagery • - figurative language that is used to represent objects, actions, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses. • -imagery makes use of particular words that create visual representation of ideas in our minds. • Images are often used to evoke atmosphere, mood, and tension within a literary work. For example, images of crowded, steaming sidewalks flanking streets choked with lines of shimmering, smoking cars suggest oppressive heat and all the psychological tensions that go with it. Through imagery, the reader can experience the poem both physically and psychologically.

An image is a word or phrase that appeals to one of our senses. Images can help us: • create a mental picture • hear a sound • feel texture or temperature • taste a sweet, sour, or salty flavor

What Is an Image? Listen to this excerpt of “The Shell” by James Stephens and imagine the scene he describes. And straightway like a bellCame low and clearThe slow, sad murmur of the distant seas, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . And in the hush of waters was the soundOf pebbles rolling round,For ever rolling with a hollow sound. And bubbling sea-weeds as the waters goSwish to and froTheir long, cold tentacles of slimy grey. —from “The Shell” by James Stephens Which words appeal to the sense of hearing? Sight? Touch?

Example: My little horse must think it queer/ To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake/ The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake/ To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound’s the sweep/ Of easy wind and downy flake. (“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost)

Symbol • - an image or icon that represents something else by association • Examples: • Symbolism is often found in colors: • Black is used to represent death or evil. • White stands for life and purity. • Red can symbolize blood, passion, anger, or danger. • Purple is a royal color and stands for wealth. • Yellowstands for happiness. • Bluerepresents sadness, peacefulness, and calmness. 🌹A rose symbolizes love/romance Wedding rings symbolize a marriage/partnership ☯ Ying/Yang symbolizes balance

Prose • - ordinary or plain everyday language used in speech or writing with no patterns or rhymes

Theme • - the main, or a prevailing idea in a work, but sometimes not explicitly stated • **the theme is different than the BIG IDEA of a text! What are some of the themes in Finding Nemo? Friendship Marlin is only able to succeed in finding his son with the help of Dory. Nemo also makes friends with his fellow Tank Gang members. They assist him in returning to the ocean and reuniting with his father. It is the power of friendship that allows everyone to achieve their goals. Perseverance Throughout his journey, Marlin shows his anxieties and fears concerning the open ocean and the unknown. Dory helps Marlin to persevere and achieve his goal of finding his son. Nemo also perseveres by not giving up trying to get back to the ocean. Marlin and Nemo learn that their goals can be achieved by learning to face their fears.

Discovering theme • What is the theme in the following example? • Tim hated his old baseball glove. He wanted to play with a new glove, but he didn’t have any money, so he decided to steal it. But when Tim got caught stealing the glove, his parents said he couldn’t play baseball all summer. • Examples of common themes: • Story/Poem Theme • The Three Little Pigs Taking your time to do something right pays off • Pochahontas Respect the Earth as a living resource/respect all creatures

Tone/Mood/Atmosphere • - feelings or meanings conveyed in the poem, sometimes the dominant feelings. May be the poet’s attitude to the poem’s subject. • What is the tone or mood in the following examples? • Do you ever feel like a plastic bag • Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again? • Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin • Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in? Maybe a reason why all the doors are closed So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow And when it's time you'll know You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July Hint: use IMAGERY

Free Verse Poem “This Is Just To Say” by William Carlos Williams • - a type of poem that does not require a special format, rhyming patter, or topic. A free verse poem is FREE FROM FORM. • Example: • -”Betta Fish” in your poetry booklet • -I’m From… • -I Was Raised By…. • -I am/I am not… I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox and which you were probably saving for breakfast Forgive me they were delicious so sweet and so cold

Rhyme: the repetition of the same sound. Example: bed/read/said, bop/mop/top, night/light Rhyme Scheme: the rhyming pattern of the poem, organized and noted by letters of the alphabet. (Examples: AABB, ABAB, CCDD, ABC) Stanza:a section of a poem, usually composed of two or more lines of verse usually characterized by the same rhyme, rhythm, or number of lines. Symbol:an image or icon that represents something else by association Prose:ordinary or plain everyday language used in speech or writing with no patterns or rhymes Theme:the main, or a prevailing idea in a work, but sometimes not explicitly stated Tone/Mood/Atmosphere: feelings or meanings conveyed in the poem, sometimes the dominant feelings. May be the poet’s attitude to the poem’s subject.

Concrete Poem • - (also called shape or visual poetry) a type of poem that takes the shape or visual of what it is about. For example, if the topic of a poem were about trees, the poem would be shaped like a tree. • Example:

Poetic Terms & Figures of Speech