Elements of Poetry

POETIC DEVICES

ONOMATOPOEIA

ALLITERATION

SIMILE

METAPHORHYPERBOLE

AlliterationDefinition: When the beginning sounds of words repeat in a line of poetry or a sentence.

Example: If Freaky Fred Found Fifty Feet of Fruit

OnomatopoeiaDefinition: Words that imitate sounds

Example: A dog saw a cat on a lonely roofHe greeted her with a friendly 'woof'.The cat looked at him with a hopeful 'meow'"I'd like to come down but I don't know how."

http://dailyanimalfwd.blogspot.com/2011/04/operation-overkill-25-firemen-and-five.html

SimileDefinition:

Compares 2 unlike things using the words like, as or than as a connecting word.

Example:

bald as an eagle,neat as a pin, proud as a peacock, ugly as sin.

From “Predictable”By Bruce Lansky

Hyperbole

Definition:A HUGE exaggeration that could not possibly be true.

Example:The pepper caught my head on fireAnd burned off all my hair. My mouth erupted lavaAnd my tongue began to melt.My ears were shooting jets of steam.At least that's how they felt.

from “I Ate a Spicy Pepper”By Ken Nesbitt

http://blitzschnell-abnehmen.com/

Metaphor

Example: The cafeteria is a jungle.Wild animals scrambling for food.Grunting like wild boarsStampeding to the lineDevouring their preyCleaning their pawsand then returning to their dens.

Definition:A comparison of two unlike things that does not use a connecting word.

http://www.englishrocks1.net/Poetry/extended_metaphor_poems.htm

http://oaklandnorth.net/2010/10/15/oakland-students-

administrators-try-organic-school-lunches/

Why does Poetry matter?

Poetry entertains us.

Poetry expresses a poet’s thoughts and feelings.

Poetry helps us connect with other people’s viewpoints.

Poetry portrays the poet’s culture and experiences.