Exploring Poetry: Terms and Techniques

Which of the following lines best demonstrates alliteration?

• The sun sets slowly in the west.

• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

• The leaves rustled in the gentle breeze.

• The cat sat on the mat.

Identify the example of apostrophe in the following sentences.

• The wind whispered through the trees.

• O Death, where is thy sting?

• The stars danced playfully in the moonlit sky.

• The thunder roared angrily.

Which sentence contains assonance?

• The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.

• The big black bear bit the big black bug.

• The clock ticked and tocked.

• The snake slithered silently.

Which of the following is an example of a conceit?

• Life is like a box of chocolates.

• The broken heart is a damaged china pot.

• The wind howled in the night.

• The stars are diamonds in the sky.

Identify the example of consonance in the following lines.

• The lumpy, bumpy road.

• The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew.

• The ship has sailed to the far off shores.

• The snake slithered silently.

Which of the following sentences is an example of hyperbole?

• I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.

• The leaves danced in the wind.

• The sun smiled down on us.

• The clock ticked loudly in the silent room.

Which of the following is a metaphor?

• Her smile is as bright as the sun.

• The world is a stage.

• The thunder roared like a lion.

• The wind whispered softly.

Identify the example of onomatopoeia.

• The leaves rustled in the wind.

• The clock ticked and tocked.

• The stars twinkled in the night sky.

• The sun set in a blaze of glory.

Which sentence best illustrates personification?

• The sun is a golden ball.

• The wind whispered secrets to the trees.

• The cat sat on the mat.

• The stars are diamonds in the sky.

Which of the following is a simile?

• Her eyes were stars shining in the night.

• Her eyes shone like stars.

• The world is a stage.

• The wind whispered softly.