Poetic Devices

Stanza

The way lines in a poem are separated into units; not every stanza necessarily follows the same format.

Free verse

Poem that doesn’t follow a specific pattern and has no rules or rhyme scheme.

End rhyme

The last word or syllable of a line of poetry rhymes with another last word or syllable in a different line.

Allusion

A reference to something well-known within a poem (ex: a song, a god or goddess, a battle, a work of art).

Heroic couplet

A two-line segment of a poem in which the last words of each line rhyme.

Enjambment

Continuation of thought from one line of a poem to the next, making it necessary to read the following line in order to understand the first.

Consonance

Repetition of a consonant sound that is NOT at the start of the word (that’s alliteration).

Alliteration

Repetition of the initial consonant sound.

Assonance

Repetition of similar vowel sounds with different ending consonants.

Anaphora

Repeating the same words at the beginning of several lines of poetry.

Simile

Relating two objects using like or as.

Metaphor

Comparison of two unlike things avoiding the use of like or as.

Hyperbole

Overstatement or exaggeration not intended to be taken literally.

Personification

Type of metaphor in which distinct human characteristics are attributed to inanimate objects or animals.

Symbolism

An object, person, or place that is used to represent something else (usually an idea).

Persona

Speaker or voice in a poem; the person doing the talking.

Character

Subject presented in a poem; either a person or an animal that is personified; often not the same as the persona.

Tone

The words that demonstrate a poet’s style or attitude toward the subject of the poem.

Mood

Specific emotions the poet tries to create; how the poem makes you feel or should make you feel.

Example of stanza

Roses are red / Violets are blue / Sugar is sweet / And so are you.

Example of free verse

I walk through the city / with no rhythm / no rhyme / just my thoughts moving forward.

Example of end rhyme

The sun will rise so bright today / and chase the darkest night away.

Example of allusion

He flew too close to the sun, ignoring every warning in his way. (Icarus)

Example of heroic couplet

I fight for truth, I stand for right, / I will not fade into the night.

Example of consonance

The ligh**t** of the nigh**t** fell sof**t** on the roo**t**.

Example of alliteration

Silent snakes slid slowly south.

Example of assonance

The m**oo**n gl**ow**s over the r**oa**d alone.

Example of anaphora

I will rise when storms appear.  

I will rise when hope is gone.  

I will rise no matter what.

Example of simile

Her smile was like sunshine after rain.

Example of metaphor

Time is a thief that steals our days.

Example of hyperbole

I’ve told you a million times how much I care.

Example of personification

The wind whispered secrets to the trees.

Example of symbolism

The broken chain lay on the ground, a sign of freedom at last.

Example of persona

I speak as the lonely traveler walking through endless night.

Example of character

The brave soldier stands alone, facing the enemy with courage.

Example of tone

The poet speaks with bitterness and anger about lost love.

Example of mood

The dark images and slow rhythm make the poem feel sad and lonely.

Example of enjambment

I carried your words  

inside my heart  

until they learned to sing.