Poetry Devices

Alliteration

The repetition of the same beginning consonant sound in nearby words.

Ex:Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers

Enjambment

When a line of poetry continues onto the next line without a pause or punctuation

Ex:

The sun was setting over hills

as birds returned to nest

Metaphor

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using “like” or “as"

Ex:Time is a thief

Simile

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using “like” or “as”

Ex:She was as busy as a bee

Personification

Giving human qualities or actions to animals, objects, or ideas

Ex:The wind whispered through the trees

Slant Rhyme

A type of rhyme in which words have similar but not identical sounds (also called near ryhme or imperfect rhyme)

Ex:Shape and keep

The ending sounds are close but do not perfectly match.

Repitition

The intentional use of the same word, line, or sound multiple times to emphasize an idea or create rhythm

Ex: Never give up, never give in, never stop trying

Allusion

A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance.

Theme of Introduction to poetry

the importance of experiencing and enjoying poetry imaginatively, rather than aggressively dissecting it for a single, definitive meaning (trying to get the feel of the figurative meaning)

Mood of intro to poetry

silly to disappointed

theme of there will come soft rains

The theme explores the conflict between nature and humanity, illustrating how nature persists despite human absence and devastation.

tone of there will come soft rains

calm to angry

subject of poem of seasons

transgender/non-binary identity, linguistic liberation, and resistance against colonial confinement

Mood of seasons

Depressing to hopeful

theme of seasons

change is a natural part of life

tone of seasons

realistic to comforting

theme of the poem i am the people the mob

The poem celebrates everyday people as the true builders of history, warns about their exploitation by powerful elites,

subject of the poem barbie doll

A young girl who grows up facing unrealistic expectations about female beauty and how society believes women should look and act.

subject of the poem at the end of barbie doll

 The poem shifts to focus on the tragic consequences of those pressures. The girl sacrifices herself trying to meet society's standards, and only in death is she described as finally being considered "pretty." This highlights the destructive effects of impossible beauty ideals.

mood of barbie doll

playful to upsetting

subject of the poem public school 190

Life in an underfunded public school in Brooklyn and the struggles faced by the students there. The speaker describes poor conditions, neglect, and inequality in education.

Subject of the poem 2 of public school 190

The experiences of minority and working-class children growing up in a school system that fails to support them adequately. The poem highlights poverty, discrimination, and the harsh realities these students face.

Subject of the poem at the end of public school 190

The focus shifts to the idea that these children already understood suffering and tragedy before the assassination of President Kennedy. When adults say that "something bad had happened," the students realize that hardship has been part of their lives all along:

Subject of the poem coal

The speaker's identity, voice, and self-worth as a Black woman. The poem uses coal transforming into a diamond as a metaphor for the beauty, power, and value found within Black identity and language.

Tone of coal

frustration

subject of the poem of history teacher

Misinformation is dangerous

Subject of the poem 2 of coal

what the teacher is doing is actually evil (gatekeeping information)

Mood of histroy teacher

funny to upsetting

Subject of the poem a pace like that

The speaker's desire to slow down and experience life more fully, instead of rushing through it.

Subject of the poem at the end of a pace like that

the speaker reflects on how, as people grow older, others increasingly judge and comment on their actions. Despite all the outside opinions, each person ultimately faces life alone in their own thoughts and experiences. The poem ends by emphasizing the importance of living at a more thoughtful, deliberate pace.

tone of a pace like that

yearning