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Poetic Devices
Poetic Devices
Poetic Devices
Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of the initial consonant sound in words. An easier (though less exact) way to say this
is that alliteration is when the first sounds in words repeat. Alliteration often works with assonance and consonance to
Despite their mother’s warnings, the children chose to chew with their mouths open.
Notice the repetition of the “j” sound in the first example? Alliteration is not always so jarringly obvious.
Though this example is still pretty obvious, it shows that even when one word starts with a “k” and another word starts
with a “c,” it is still considered an instance of alliteration. When we study alliteration, we are concerned with the sounds
Assonance
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds. It is often used in combination with consonance and alliteration.
Notice the repetition of the “awe” sounds in the first example, the “e” sounds in the second example, or the “o” sounds in
the third example? Assonance can be subtle and may go unnoticed if you’re not scanning for it.
Consonance
Also known as near rhyme, off rhyme, or slant rhyme, consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the
middle or at the end of words. Using consonance is a sophisticated poetic technique that can create subtle yet
Though the first of the above examples is also an example of personification, we are interested in the repetition of the
“nger” and “ng” sounds. If nobody is around you right now, say out loud, “hungry and angry.” Notice how similar the
words sound? What you are hearing is consonance, or the repetition of the “ngry” consonant sounds.
Enjambment
Enjambment is when the writer uses line breaks meaningfully and abruptly to either emphasize a point or to
create dual meanings. When a poem is read, the reader will conventionally make a slight pause (shorter than a
comma) when transitioning from line to line. When a writer uses enjambment, he or she uses this space to spread an
idea over more than one line, either creating an alternate interpretation of the lines or drawing attention to the enjambed
words.
dead
of winter.
When the word “dead” is placed on a line in isolation, it invites the reader to focus on that idea. Surrounded by empty
space, the idea may resonate powerfully. Though enjambment could be used during a speech, the term “enjambment” is
Imagery
Imagery is when the writer or speaker uses their descriptions to access the senses of the reader of listener.
Sometimes this is called, using sensory details. When I say “senses” or “sensory,” I am referring to the five senses: sight,
I was awoken by the pleasing scent of the bacon as it wafted down the hallway.
As you read the first example, you might be visualize snow melting, because the description accesses your sense of sight.
When you read the second example, you may imagine the noises that crickets produce, as the imagery in the text
references this sound. And as you encounter the third example, you may recall the aroma of bacon based on the imagery
in the sentence. Good writers don’t just tell you things, they show you things by using imagery.
Repetition
Repetition is when the writer or speaker knowingly repeats a word or group of words for effect. This is a
strong rhetorical technique that can also be used to build a theme in a speech or poem. It is important to note that it is
not considered using repetition when a writer or speaker repeats essential articles, prepositions, pronouns, or
conjunctions that are frequently used unintentionally as the mechanics of language dictate.
Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!
In the first example, only one word in the sentence is repeating: nobody. Nonetheless, this is still considered repetition. A
poet, writer, or speaker may also repeat more than one word to have a greater impact or to highlight the importance of
an idea, such as in the second example. In the second example a whole group of words repeats: Free at last. Each
Rhyme
Rhyme is when the end or final sound of two or more words are identical. If the end sounds are not identical,
then the speaker or writer is using consonance or assonance instead. Rhymes can also occur internally or on the inside of
words or lines of poetry. A rhyme may also be monosyllabic (a one syllable rhyme) or polysyllabic (rhyme two or more
blank verse, as it takes much poetic skill to freely maneuver within the confines of a rhyme scheme.
Rhythm
Rhythm is when the arrangement of words creates an audible pattern or beat when read out loud. A good way
to check to see if a passage of text is using rhythm is to just hum the sounds that the words make rather than clearly
pronouncing them. If you can hear a song or identify a form in the sounds, then the text is rhythmic.
There once was a guy from Chicago / Who drank away all of his problems.
I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny / but we can have lots of good fun that is funny.
Instead of just reading these examples, trying humming them. Do you hear how they sort of bounce? This is a rhythm.
Figurative Language
Figurative language is language that one must figure out. The term “figurative” is an antonym of ”literal.” In
literal language the words convey meaning exactly as defined, whereas in figurative language there is room for
interpretation. An effort is required on the part of the interpreter to determine the speaker or writer’s intended meaning.
The listener or reader must “figure” out what is meant. This page will discuss common figures of speech, provide
examples, and offer resources to help you learn, review, or teach figurative language. It is important to note that, as an
educator, I make a distinction between figurative language and poetic devices. Though the skills are related, I find that it
is easier to understand these concepts in separate units. This page focuses exclusively on figurative language
techniques.
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is when the writer or speaker exaggerates for emphasis or effect. Etymologically, “hyper” translates
roughly to “over” and “bole” translates roughly to “throw.” So the word “hyperbole” means to overthrow or to go over.
Other forms of hyperbole include hyperbolic (adjective) and hyperbolically (adverb). One way to help students remember
hyperbole is to focus on their background knowledge of the word “hyper.” Ask students to describe the behavior of
someone who might be considered hyper. Show students that when someone is hyper, they might be doing a little too
much. Draw the connection that when someone uses hyperbole, they are going too far.
Examples of hyperbole:
3. Old Mr. Johnson has been teaching here since the Stone Age.
4. Forget knocking it out of the park, Frank can knock a baseball off the continent.
Hyperbole can be an effective technique for getting your point across. As you continue studying and reviewing this
concept, be conscious of the fact that hyperbole is often confused with understatement (saying too little or minimizing the
effect of a statement).
Idiom
Idioms are commonly used figurative expressions. Idiom is not a distinct figurative language technique. Rather,
most idioms are similes, metaphors, hyperbole, or other figurative language techniques. For example, the idiom “I’m so
hungry that I could eat a horse,” is actually an example of hyperbole. And the idiom, “dropping like flies,” is actually a
simile. What separates an idiom from its original technique, however, is that idioms have been so commonly used that
they became incorporated into the colloquial lexicon of native language speakers. In other words, native speakers use
them so much that they don’t even know that they are using figurative language.
1. Bob’s new corner office was just the icing on the cake (metaphor).
2. After eating candy, Billy ran around like a chicken with his head cut off (simile).
5. Tom said that he changed but actions speak louder than words (personification).
Idioms are generally used so frequently by native language speakers that it often goes unnoticed that figurative language
is even being used. When someone is learning a new language, one of the milestones of progress is when the learner
Metaphor
Metaphor is a comparison between two dissimilar things without using the word “like” or “as” to make the
comparison. It’s been said that the greater the difference between the two things being compared, the better the
metaphor, and this is a notion with which I agree. For example, when asked to create a metaphor, a student of mine
once wrote, “Football is baseball.” Though this is arguably a metaphor, it generally would not be regarded as a very good
one because the objects of comparison are too similar. “Football is chess” would be an improvement, because the objects
Personification
Personification is when the speaker or writer gives human characteristics, qualities, or traits to an object or
idea. In other words, an object or idea is described by the speaker or writer in a way that could only be applied literally
to a person. To put it even simpler, personification is when an object or idea does something that only people do.
Though animals are often given human traits and characteristics in poems and stories (such as in fables), when this
4. The traffic noises argued long into the night and finally Cal went to sleep.
Simile
Similes are comparisons between two unlike things using the word “like” or “as.” Similes sometimes form the
building blocks of analogies (extended comparisons) and they are commonly used in both speech and literature. Because
of the signal words “like” and “as,” students are usually able to identify similes with greater efficacy than other figurative
language techniques such as metaphor or personification. However, students should be made aware that just because
the speaker or writer uses the word “like” or “as,” does not automatically mean that they are using a simile. This is
because “like” and “as” have other roles in the English language besides making comparisons, such as when the speaker
or writer expresses a preference for something. In the statement, “I like pizza,” no comparison is being made; the
speaker merely expresses a preference. My point is that while “like” and “as” can be helpful signal words, in a simile a
1. My mother’s kitchen was like a holy place: you couldn’t wear your shoes, you had to sit there at a certain
Understatement
Understatements are when the speaker or writer express an idea with significantly less force than is
expected or would be required to accurately describe an idea. Understatement can be understood as the opposite
of hyperbole. In hyperbole, the statement goes too far; whereas in understatement, the statement does not go far
1. Let’s just say that Bill Gates has got a few nickles to rub together.
3. It might take her a little while to get over her husband’s affair.
5. The middle of the street isn’t the best place for your child to play.