poetry

Allusion

A reference to something famous (book, history, myth, Bible).

Example: “He was a Romeo.”

Apostrophe

When a poet talks directly to something not human or not there.

Example: “Oh Moon, why are you so bright?”

Connotation

The feeling or emotion a word suggests.

Example: “Home” feels warm and safe.

Denotation

The literal dictionary meaning of a word.

Example: “Home” = a place where you live.

Figurative Language

Back: Language that isn’t meant literally (metaphors, similes, etc.).

Example: “Time is a thief.”

Hyperbole

Back: Extreme exaggeration for effect.

Example: “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

Imagery

Back: Descriptive words that appeal to the senses.

Example: “The sweet smell of flowers.”

Irony

Back: When something is opposite of what you expect.

Verbal irony

Saying one thing but meaning another.

Example: “Great weather!” during a storm.

Situational irony

What happens is the opposite of what should happen.

Example: A fire station burns down.

Dramatic irony

Audience knows something the characters don’t.

Example: Horror movie — we know the killer is inside.

Metaphor

Back: A comparison without “like” or “as.”

Example: “Life is a journey.”

Extended Metaphor

Back: A metaphor that continues through many lines.

Example: A whole poem comparing life to a road.

Oxymoron

Back: Two opposite words together.

Example: “Jumbo shrimp” or “bittersweet.”

Paradox

Back: Something that seems contradictory but is true.

Example: “Less is more.”

Personification

Back: Giving human traits to nonhuman things.

Example: “The wind whispered.”

Simile

Back: Comparison using “like” or “as.”

Example: “Her smile was like the sun.”

Symbol

Back: Something that represents something deeper.

Example: A dove = peace.

Theme

Back: The main message or lesson of the poem.

Example: Love, growing up, loss.

Tone

Back: The author’s attitude or mood.

Example: Sad, angry, playful, serious.

Personification

Back: Giving human traits to nonhuman things.

Example: “The wind whispered.”

Paradox

Back: Something that seems contradictory but is true.

Example: “Less is more.”

Oxymoron

Back: Two opposite words together.

Example: “Jumbo shrimp” or “bittersweet.”

Extended Metaphor

Back: A metaphor that continues through many lines.

Example: A whole poem comparing life to a road.

Alliteration

Back: Repeating beginning consonant sounds.

Example: “Peter Piper picked…”

Assonance

Back: Repeating vowel sounds.

Example: “The rain in Spain…”

Consonance

Back: Repeating consonant sounds inside or end of words.

Example: “pitter patter.”

Onomatopoeia

Back: A word that sounds like what it means.

Example: “Buzz,” “Bang,” “Hiss.”

Refrain

Back: A repeated line or phrase in a poem.

Example: Chorus in a song.

Rhyme

Back: Words that have the same ending sound.

Rhyme Scheme

ack: The pattern of rhymes in a poem (ABAB, AABB).

Rhythm

Back: The beat or flow of words in poetry.

Example: Like the pace of a song.