Poetic Devices

Definition: a reference to another work piece of literature or work of art

Example: "As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I take a look at my life and realize there’s nothing left." --Coolio

• Personification

• Simile

• Alliteration

• Allusion

Definition: an important phrase or word repeated for literary effect

Example: “Papa, don’t preach. I’m in trouble deep. Papa, don’t preach. I’ve been losing sleep, but I’ve made up my mind; I’m keeping my baby.”

• Repetition

• consonance

• symbolism

• juxtaposition

Definition: A comparison using the words: like, as, or than

Example: “I came in like a wrecking ball.”

• Simile

• alliteration

• onomatopoeia

• allusion

Definition: A comparison between two things that doesn’t use “like” or “as”

Example: “Hold on to the corners of today,

and we'll fold it up to save until it's needed.”

• metaphor

• slant rhyme

• onomatopoeia

• hyperbole

Definition: A literary technique in which a thing is described using human qualities

Example: “When the world has dealt its cards...”

• personification

• slant rhyme

• onomatopoeia

• metaphor

Definition: exaggeration for artistic effect

Example: “But I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more...”

• hyperbole

• simile

• onomatopoeia

• assonance

Definition: repetition of the beginning sounds of words together for artistic effect

Example: “Speech will spill on space...”

• alliteration

• juxtaposition

• onomatopoeia

• allusion

Definition: repetition of internal or ending consonant sounds for artistic effect

Example: “You're gonna hear me roar!” (repeated ending R sound)

• consonance

• oxymoron

• simile

• allusion

Definition: repetition of internal or ending vowel sounds for artistic effect

Example: “Let it rain; I hydroplane into fame” (repeated A sound)

• assonance

• oxymoron

• alliteration

• hyperbole

Definition: An object that represents something else that has a deeper meaning

Example: “You can stand under my umbrella."

• symbolism

• oxymoron

• slant rhyme

• allusion