Poetry Terms

AlliterationThe repetition of beginning consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables

Example: In time “Hillari’s Hypothesis” about Stargirl’s origins gave way to other theories.

Alliteration Examples

“She sells sea shells by the sea shore.”

Comics/cartoons and characters: Beetle Bailey, Donald Duck, andMickey Mouse. Stan Lee has stated that he used alliteration extensively when naming his superhero characters because such names stand out and are more memorable (e.g. Scott Summers, Peter Parker, Sue Storm, Reed Richards, Matt Murdock, Bruce Banner, and many others). V for Vendetta is famous for the self-introductory monologue by the title character, a few paragraphs long, that consists almost entirely of words starting with the letter V.

MetaphorA comparison of two things, which says one thing IS another thing, and doesn’t use “like” or “as”

Example: “She was the faintest scent of a cactus flower, the flitting shadow of an elf owl.”

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“Baby you’re a firework! Come on, let your colors burst.”

SimileA comparison between two things that uses “like” or “as.”

Example: “If we happened to somehow distinguish ourselves, we quickly snapped back into place, like rubber bands.”

Simile ExampleYou can break everything I amLike I'm made of glassLike I'm made of paperGo on and try to tear me downI will be rising from the groundLike a skyscraperLike a skyscraper

PersonificationAn author gives an idea, object, or animal qualities or traits of a person.

Example: “I could no longer see the rat… I imagined it was singing along.”

Personification Example

“Rain falls angry on the tin roof”

- EDWIN MCCAIN

OnomatopoeiaA figurative language technique in which words are used to imitate sound. A word that suggests a sound

Example: “Half the lunchroom kept staring, half started buzzing.”

Examples

RhymeRepetition of the same sound at the end of words

Example: “I’m looking over a four-leaf clover…”

RhythmThe beat. The regular patterned recurring alternations of elements of sound or speech.

Example: “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Alan Ferkoooooh, Happy birthday to you.”

Rhythm Example

Repetition Use of a sound, word, phrase, or a line again for emphasis

Example: “She was trying to get herself discovered in the movies. She was sniffing fumes. She was… She was… She was…”

Repetition Example

Sensory DetailsWords or descriptions that appeal to one of the 5 senses

Example: “The air was cool on my face. The desert smelled of apples. I heard something – a coyote?”