Poetic Devices

Poetry

• Words are chosen and arranged to create an emotional response in the reader

• Uses figurative language and other literary devices

• Uses sound and rhythm to engage the reader and add to the meaning

• Imagery—appeals to the senses• Often paints a picture for the reader

Simile

• Similes compare two things using the word “like” or “as”

• The rain pounding on the roof sounded like the drumline of a marching band.

Onomatopoeia

• The use of words that sound like what they mean

• “Sound Effects”

• Zap! Went the lightning as it flashed across the dark sky.

Metaphor

• Metaphors compare two things without using the words “like” or “as”

• You’re comparing two things by saying one thing IS something else

• Her blue eyes were lasers that could penetrate to my soul.

Allusion

• A reference to a well-known person, myth, historical event, story, etc.

• The allusion should be one that most people could understand

• Use an asterisk to explain the allusion

• He was devastated by the shocking news. This was his own Pearl Harbor moment.

Assonance

• The repetition of vowel sounds, but not consonant sounds

• Similar to alliteration, but with vowels• More challenging, because the sound occurs

in the middle of the words

• When they came out of the rain they were changed forever.

Symbolism

• A person, place, object, or action that stands for something beyond itself

• Our Tribute Projects used symbolism• Think colors, animals, objects that could stand

for something

• When the battle ended, a dove flew over the ruins of the city.

Alliteration

• The repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of words

• Jimmy made a jolly joke that brought joy to his friends.

Personification

• Giving human characteristics to something that is not human

• The trees waved goodbye to the children as they left for home.

Hyperbole

• A figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis or humorous effect

• The students walked so slowly that a herd of snails could have passed them on the path.

Rhetorical Question

• A question that is asked for the purpose of reflection, or to make a point

• An answer to the question is not expected

• She looked so weak and frail. Would she still be here tomorrow?

Poem Format• Poems should have a title, centered at the top of the

page• Poems are arranged in lines, not sentences• Capitalize first words of lines as needed• Lines may or may not have punctuation at the end

(commas, periods, question marks, exclamation points)• There should be end punctuation at the very end of the

poem• Lines of poetry are arranged in stanzas, not paragraphs• Use the white space on the page to enhance your

poem

Original Poem Assignment

• You will write a 21-line (or longer) poem• Every other line will contain an assigned

poetic device (see instructions)• Use the in-between lines to blend all the ideas

together• Your poem does not have to rhyme• You may pick the topic of your poem, as long

as it is school appropriate

Writing Teacherby Mrs. McGinnis

What is it liketo teach eighth graders to write?Every day is like a race—a marathon!Buzz! The alarm sounds the start (5)at 4:45, before the sun.I am a mouse in a maze.Educating eighth gradersis Mission:Impossible*I’m up for the challenge (10)A mighty fight to write!

Where are the smiling facesbringing apples to place on my

desk?What should they bring? Paper, pencils, pens (15)Write the words untilthey’re line dancing across the

page.Then give them to meI’m drowning in papers to grade!But I read them all. (20)Are they Pulitzer Prize winners?Not yet, but you never know!

*a series of movies starring Tom Cruise