Poetic Devices

Question 1

Alliteration

Answer 1

Repeated use of the same sounds or combination of sounds in the beginning of a series of words

Question 2

Allusion

Answer 2

Indirect or passing reference to something or someone (historical, mythological, biblical, literary)

Question 3

Apostrophe

Answer 3

To address a person or thing that is not present as if it were present and able to respond.

Question 4

Assonance

Answer 4

The repeated use of vowels in a line, especially in stressed syllables

Question 5

Connotation

Answer 5

The aura, the field of association surrounding the

word (feelings the word evokes)

Question 6

Denotation

Answer 6

The exact dictionary definition of a word

Question 7

Dysphemism

Answer 7

A crude or shocking word or expression used in place of socially accepted language. It is the opposite of
euphemism.

Question 8

Euphemism

Answer 8

Use of mild expression in place of a harsh or

unpleasant one

Question 9

Hyperbole

Answer 9

An exaggeration for the sake of emphasis

Question 10

Litotes

Answer 10

Understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrary (uses “no” or “not”) eg: She’s “not a bad singer”

Question 11

Imagery

Answer 11

Mood or feeling shown by clever use of words (word pictures or senses)

Question 12

Imitative Harmony

Answer 12

(Onomatopoeia) imitation of a sound made – using words in which the sense or meaning of words is suggested by the sound e.g. plop

Question 13

Irony

Answer 13

To say something one way but actually, mean the opposite or when the opposite of what is expected happens

Question 14

Juxtaposition

Answer 14

Putting two or more things side by side even Though they are not usually associated with one another. The writer makes no comment on it.

Question 15

Metaphor

Answer 15

A type of comparison in which one thing is said to be another or implied to be another by using a verb or adjective.

Question 16

Metonymy

Answer 16

A kind of metaphor. An object is given the name of something else with which it is associated
e.g.: My friend plays Beethoven beautifully.

Question 17

Onomatopeia

Answer 17

“Plop”

Question 18

Oxymoron

Answer 18

An expression that combines contradictory or opposite ideas

Question 19

Paradox

Answer 19

Statement that may be true but seems to say two opposite (Contradictory) things

Question 20

Persona

Answer 20

The person who narrates or speaks. The persona is not the living person who wrote the poem. In writing the poem, the poet always creates a persona, a speaker who is other than him/herself. They may or may not resemble each other.

Question 21

Personification

Answer 21

When an object, animal, ideal or quality is given the attributes or characteristics of a human being

Question 22

Pun

Answer 22

Play on words

Question 23

Repetition

Answer 23

Words, phrases or lines repeated to add force

Question 24

Sarcasm

Answer 24

A form of irony intended to sting or hurt someone

Question 25

Satire

Answer 25

A work of literature exposing the follies and weaknesses of a person or institution. Satire endeavors to bring about reform through ridicule.

Question 26

Simile

Answer 26

A comparison of two unlike objects by means of words | like, as, as if, or than

Question 27

Synecdoche

Answer 27

When a part is used to signify the whole. eg: I took | forty head of cattle to the market

Question 28

Consonance

Answer 28

The repetition of a pattern of consonants with changes | in the intervening vowels e.g.: hill hall; live love

Question 29

Euphony

Answer 29

A harmonious succession of words having a pleasing sound.

Question 30

Cacophony

Answer 30

A succession of words having a harsh or unpleasant sound

Question 31

Caesura

Answer 31

A break in the flow of sound in a verse caused by the ending of a word within a foot; a break in the flow of sound usually in the middle of a line of verse.

Question 32

Cadence

Answer 32

A rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in language; a concluding and usually falling strain.

Question 33

Enjambment

Answer 33

The continuation of the sense (meaning) and grammatical | construction of a verse or lines in poetry to the next verse or line. It is in contrast to the end-stopped line.