Poetic+Devices-+Definitions

1. Hyperbole Definition: Extreme exaggeration Example: I'm going to go insane if I here that sound one more time! 2. Alliteration Definition: Two or more syllables starting with the same sound Example: Big brown bouncing basketballs 3.Rythm & Rhyme Definition: A flow of words, containing the same sound. Example: 1,2,3, A,B,C 4. Metaphor Definition: Comparing two things without using "like" or "as". Example: It's raining men 5. Analogy Definition: Comparison of two pairs, that are related in some way. Example: Air is to water, as wind is to rain 6. Repetition <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Definition: Words that are used more than once, that are repeated. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Example: Die, Die, Die, Die, Die (Pyramus in A Midsummer Night's Dream) <span style="color: #800000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">7. Personification <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Definition: Giving human characteristics to inhuman objects <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Example: The cold air crept up my neck <span style="color: #800000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">8. Allusion <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Definition: Making a connection/reference to an event, place or person outside of the context of the poem <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Example: It was like watching a scene from World War II <span style="color: #800000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">9. Euphemism <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Definition:<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> Making something terrible seem not as bad, by using "nicer" words. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Example: <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">When I kick the bucket <span style="color: #800000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">10. Imagery <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Definition:<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> A word, or phrase that helps the reader to imagine the word, painting a picture in their mind. A vivid description. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Example: <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The cabins, lying up to their glistening eyes, in silky snow. <span style="color: #800000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">11. Irony <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Definition: Irony is a difference between what is meant to happen and what actually happens, or what might be expected and what really occurs. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Example: If you aren't careful you'll be hit by a car, *gets hit by a car* <span style="color: #800000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">12. Malapropism <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Definition: Wrong, confusing use of words that are usually similar in sound <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Example: <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I exclaimed what I meant (explained) <span style="color: #800000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">13. Onomatopoeia <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Definition: <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A word that describes a sound. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Example: <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">BOOM! <span style="color: #800000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">14. Oxymoron <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Definition:<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> When you use to words that are complete opposites <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Example:<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> Diet cheesecake <span style="color: #800000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">15. Satire <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Definition: <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">To ridicule or make a sarcastic comment, on an aspect of our lives, or behaviour <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Example: <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Often on Saturday Night Live when an actor or actress pokes fun at famous celebrities, for example Tina Fey making Sarah Palin seem very unintelligent, "I can see Russia from my window". <span style="color: #800000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">16. Simile <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Definition: Comparison of two things using the words "like" or "as" <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Example: <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">She was like a ray of sun. <span style="color: #800000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">17. Symbol <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Definition: <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A word that has more than one meaning(literal and another). <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Example:<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> A BMW(status symbol and also a car) <span style="color: #800000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">18. Theme <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Definition:<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> A message that the poet is trying to convey throughout the poem. What all of the words revolve around. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Example: <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love