literary devices in a poem

alliteration

the repetition of initial consonant sounds.

consonance

A sound device where there is a repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning, middle and end of at least two lines of poetry

assonance

the repetition, at close intervals, of vowel sounds.

blank verse

unrhymed iambic pentameter

free verse

poetry that is not written in a fixed form or regular meter.

heroic couplet

rhymed pairs of lines in iambic pentameter

allusion:

a reference to a person place thing event or ideas in history or literature used to suggest an emotion or Idea

Imagery

The use of images often figurative ones that appeal to one of these five senses

Connotation

The feeling or idea that a word suggests in addition to its literal meaning

denotation

The literal or primary meaning of a word

Figure of speech

Words that are used to describe or define something non-literally usually making use of metaphors or similes

Metaphor

Implied comparison in which one thing is acquainted or substituted for another

Extended metaphor

metaphor that dominates a large section of a poem

Controlling metaphor

Sustained comparison metaphor that dominates organizes an entire poem or series of related Metaphors

Irony

A situation or expression where the reality differs from the expectations or literal meeting

Dramatic irony

The word or acts of a character which carry meaning not perceived by the character, but obvious to the audience

Verbal irony

Intent is expressed in words that carry the opposite meaning

Hyperbole

Exaggerated used to emphasize

Personification

Giving human characteristics to an animal object or abstract concept

Simile

An explicit comparison of one thing to another, using the connecting words, such as like or as

Tone

The attitude the speaker takes towards the topic

Meter

The reoccurrence of rhythmic stresses or accents in a regular pattern

Onomatopoeia

Use of a word that resembles the sound it denotes

Oxymoron

A figure of speech, combining, contradictory terms

Rhythm

The pattern of stressed and unstress syllables in a poem

Paradox

A statement that seems self contradictory, but reveals the deeper truth

Motif

Recurring device formula or situation

Situation

Context

Speaker

The voice or narrative persona delivering the poem

Stanza

A group of lines forming a structural unit in a poem

Symbol

Person object or event that stands for a larger idea

Theme

The central or unifrying idea developed in a work