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- Allegory. An allegory is a story, poem, or other written work that can be interpreted to have a secondary meaning. Aesop’s Fables are examples of allegories, as they are ostensibly about one thing (such as “The Ant and the Grasshopper”) but actually have a secondary meaning.
- Alliteration. Alliteration is the repetition of a sound or letter at the beginning of multiple words in a series. “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary…”
- Allusion. An allusion is an indirect reference to something. “The Cunninghams are country folks, farmers, and the crash hit them hardest.” - Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Apostrophe. An apostrophe is a poetic device where the writer addresses a person or thing that isn’t present with an exclamation. “O stranger of the future!
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- Thematic Devices
- Visual Devices
- Rhythmic Devices
- Verbal Devices
- Emphatic Devices
- Structural Devices
Allegory
An allegory is when a piece of art (like a painting, story or poem) is used to convey hidden meaning. A classic example of allegory is George Orwell’s Animal Farm. In the novella, farm animals start a rebellion against the farmer to create a better society for everyone. However, their new society quickly becomes corrupt and no better than it was before. The story reflects what happened during the rise of the Soviet Union and highlights the issues with communism. 1. Introduction to Allegory Le...
Symbolism
Symbolism is when something or someone is used to represent a greater meaning. For example, birds often represent freedom in literature because they aren’t bound to the earth by gravity - they’re able to fly away into the skies. 1. Introduction to Symbolism Lesson Pack
Motif
A motif is a specific idea or feature that continuously occurs in a piece of art, whether that’s a painting, poem, film or story. To use a classic example, in Romeo and Juliet, there is a motif of light and darkness - with references to the two being made throughout the play. 1. A-Level Exploring Motifs Worksheet
Imagery
Imagery, simply put, is about conjuring up a specific mental image in your reader’s head through your use of language. Imagery can be conveyed through your use of metaphor, simile, description or specific word choice. An example of imagery would be: 'Sunlight shone on the lake, making the water look like molten gold.' 1. Year 3/4 Identifying Imagery Activity
Metaphor
Metaphors and similes often get confused, so let’s try to clear up the difference! A metaphor is when you say that one thing IS another thing. For instance, 'life is a rollercoaster' or 'the stars are diamonds in the sky'. 1. Simile or Metaphor Worksheet
Simile
Now we’ve discussed metaphors, let’s look at similes. A simile is when something is SIMILAR to something else. We might say, for example, 'her smile was like the sun' or 'his face went as white as a sheet'. 1. Similes Matching Game
Repetition
Repetition is when certain words or phrases are repeated to create effect. It can be a powerful tool in persuasive writing, but it’s also frequently used by poets and authors. An example of repetition would be 'on and on and on and on' or 'I was falling, falling, falling'. 1. Repetition in Poetry Poster
Rhyme
We couldn’t talk about poetic devices without mentioning rhymes! Rhyme is when words (or the ending of words) sound similar, and they are used in correspondence. In poetry, rhyming words are usually placed at the end of sentences. A straightforward example of rhyme would be: 'I had a cat / who sat on a mat'. 1. Rhyming Words Presentation
Rhythm
Rhythm is slightly different to rhyme. Rhythm comes more down to the pace, flow and beat of a poem, rather than having words rhyme with one another. Rhythm comes from stressed and unstressed syllables being in a pattern. ‘Twas the night before Christmas / when all through the house / Not a creature was stirring / not even a mouse’ is an example of rhythm. 1. Rhythm and Pulse Powerpoint
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is when a word is created to phonetically resemble a sound. That might seem complicated, but it’s not. In fact, onomatopoeia can be a lot of fun! Examples of onomatopoeiainclude saying woof for a dog’s bark, ssss for a snake’s hiss and boom for an explosion. 1. Onomatopoeia Display Poster
Alliteration
Alliteration is when words that start with the same letter (or similar sounds) are placed together, such as ‘we wept woefully’. Writers might use alliterationto give their poetry more rhythm or create a specific sound. 1. KS2 Alliteration Powerpoint
Consonance
In poetry, consonance is using similar sounding consonants in succession. This can help to improve the rhythm of your poem, so sentences flow along nicely. ‘Toss the glass across the grass’ is a good example of consonance using the ‘ss’ letter pattern. 1. Consonance Display Poster
Oxymoron
Oxymoron is a popular literary device amongst poets. Essentially, an oxymoron is when two contradictory terms are paired together, such as ‘awfully good’ and ‘deafening silence’. Oxymorons are usually used for emphasis - to draw your attention to something or make a more dramatic statement. 1. Oxymoron Activity Sheet
Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition is placing two contrasting ideas side by side, usually to highlight their differences. This, once again, can be used to add emphasis or to create a more vivid image in the reader’s mind. Some juxtaposition examples include war and peace, beauty and ugliness, and light and day. 1. Finish the Juxtaposition Worksheet
Enjambment
Enjambment is a poetic device that involves a sentence continuing from one line onto the next line, removing the pause. Writers will use enjambment to change the pace of their poem and create a sense of urgency, as the reader is pulled from one line to the next. For example, ‘does anybody know / where we will go?’ 1. Let’s Talk About Poetry Word Mat
Caesura
Caesura is a break in the middle of a line or sentence. It’s usually marked by a comma (,) dash (-) or two slashed lines (//). A writer might use caesura to add a breath between phrases or to create a dramatic pause. Shakespeare used caesura in his famous line from Romeo and Juliet: ‘In fair Verona, where we lay our scene.’ 1. Poetry Terms Display Pack
Iambic Pentameter
Iambic pentameter can be a little tricky for children to get their heads around at first. Basically, iambic pentameter is when one line has 10 syllables and these syllables alternate between stressed and unstressed. A stressed syllable has more emphasis when spoken aloud, whilst an unstressed syllable sounds softer. The line ‘I have done nothing but in care of thee’ from The Tempest is an example of iambic pentameter. 1. Iambic Pentameter Worksheet
- Allegory. In an allegory, the writer uses one thing to stand in for another. In other words, what seems like a simple tale has a much deeper, hidden meaning.
- Alliteration, Assonance, and Consonance. ADVERTISEMENT. These examples of literary devices all refer to the sounds of words. In alliteration, all or most of the words begin with the same sound (usually a consonant), while in assonance, they use the same vowel sound throughout.
- Allusion. An allusion is a way to call something to mind without stating it directly. It requires the reader to have shared background knowledge with the writer.
- Analogy. An analogy shows how two seemingly dissimilar things are actually alike, to help illustrate a larger point. It’s similar to a metaphor or simile, but usually more complex.
Poetic devices are techniques and methods writers use to construct effective poems. These poetic devices work on the levels of line-by-line syntax and rhythm, which make your poetry engaging and memorable; and they work on the deeper, thematic level, which makes your poetry matter to the reader.
Poetic Devices Defined and Selected for Elementary Students by Judi Moreillon. Illustrated with Masks by Sabino High School Students (2003) Japanese Noh Mask by Beth
Repetition. Rhyme. Rhythm. Alliteration. Repeating the same first consonant sounds in a series of words. Alliteration is the repetition of the initial consonant sound in words. An easier (though less exact) way to say this is that alliteration is when the first sounds in words repeat.
Nov 21, 2023 · A poetic device is a special literary way of shaping words, sounds, and phrases to convey meaning. English contains dozens of poetic devices, rhetorical devices (used to...
