Figurative Language in Poetry

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What is Alliteration?

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Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a sequence of words, often used to create rhythm or emphasis. Example: 'the sun-slappers, the self-soilers, the harmony-hushers'.

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What is Personification?

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Personification is a figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts. Example: 'Because I could not stop for Death—He kindly stopped for me'.

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What is Onomatopoeia?

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Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate the natural sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to. Example: 'The bare black cliff clang'd round him'.

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What is Symbolism?

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Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. In poetry, it often conveys deeper meanings beyond the literal sense. Example: 'the mist becomes central to your existence'.

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What is Imagery?

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Imagery involves the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating vivid mental pictures. Example: 'When all at once I saw a crowd, A host of golden Daffodils'.

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What is Consonance?

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Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words in a phrase or sentence, contributing to the musical quality of poetry.

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What is Assonance?

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Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words, often used to create rhythm or enhance the mood of a poem.

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What is a Metaphor?

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A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things by stating that one is the other, without using 'like' or 'as'.

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What is a Simile?

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A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as' to highlight similarities.

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What is Enjambment?

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Enjambment is a poetic technique where a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next without a pause or break, creating a sense of continuity.