Poetic Devices

A comparison using like or as

• pun

• symbolism

• simile

• metaphor

a play on words, often seen as humorous

• simile

• pun

• symbolism

• metaphor

Something that is used to express an abstract idea using an item, or gesture. Something that means more than what is directly seen.

• metaphor

• pun

• allusion

• symbolism

A comparison between two things not using like or as

• simile

• metaphor

• pun

• allusion

An indirect reference to something or someone famous or well known

• pun

• symbolism

• alliteration

• allusion

A group of lines in a poem

• paragraph

• stanza

• phrase

• rhyme

The pattern of end rhyme in a poem (at the end of lines). The pattern is charted by assigning a letter of the alphabet, beginning with the letter A, to each line.

• rhyme scheme

• rhyme

• rhythm

• alliteration

The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in each line gives beat to the poem.

• stanza

• rhyme scheme

• rhyme

• rhythm

Repetition of sounds at the end of words

• rhyme

• rhyme scheme

• rhythm

• hyperbole

Repetition of sounds at the beginning of a word.

• alliteration

• allusion

• rhyme

• rhythm