Poetic devices Flashcards
(43 cards)
Definition of Alliteration
the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of a adjacent or closely connected words
Definition of Allegory
a story, poem or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one
example: animal farm
definition of anaphora
the repetition of a word or phrase at the start of several sentences
effect of anaphora
emphasise message, make it more impactful and memorable
definition of allusion
explicit or implied reference to another text
effect of allusion
create deeper understanding
definition of assonance
a type of alliteration in which repeated vowel sounds are in a line
definition of Asyndeton
A technique where several conjunctions ( “and”, “but” and “or” ) are omitted from a series of related clauses
definition of consonance
A type of alliteration in which the repeated consonant sounds (letters that are not vowels) are anywhere in the words
definition of ballad
A poem that tells a story and is typically set to music
definition of Caesura
A metrical pause or break in a verse where one phrase ends and another begins
effect of caesura
- emphasise message
- create rhythm
- make it sounds natural
definition of enjambment
Incomplete sentence at the end of a line of poetry
effect of enjambment
- create dynamic
- builds tension
- continuity between lines
definition of emotive language
Use of descriptive language that evokes emotion
definition of extended metaphor
metaphor that extends over the entire poem
example: “mother to son” by Langston Hughes, compares life to a staircase
effect of extended metaphor
- deepen emotional impact
- enhance understanding
- allow complex ideas to be explored
- imagery
definition of dramatic monologue
A character speaks directly to the reader
definition of half rhyme
Two words that have only their final consonant sounds and no proceeding vowel or constant sound in common. Only the last letter has to be the same
examples: bag and bug
hot and bit
definition of Hyperbole
a deliberate over-exaggeration for emphasis
definition of imagery
visually descriptive or literary language
definition of juxtaposition
Ideas or images are placed side by side to create contrast or comparison
example: night and day
effect of juxtaposition
- creates meaning
- highlights differences
- deppen understanding
definition of metaphor
Where an object or the subject is described as being the same as another otherwise unrelated object
