Transcript Poetic Devices

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 Teacher
by Mrs. McGinnis
What is it like
to 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 graders
is Mission:Impossible*
I’m up for the challenge (10)
A mighty fight to write!
*a series of movies starring Tom Cruise
Where are the smiling faces
bringing apples to place on my
desk?
What should they bring?
Paper, pencils, pens (15)
Write the words until
they’re line dancing across the
page.
Then give them to me
I’m drowning in papers to grade!
But I read them all. (20)
Are they Pulitzer Prize winners?
Not yet, but you never know!