Literary Devices

Mr. Whitehead’s Classroom

What is a poem?

A poem can take many forms. A poem can take many forms. It can tell a story or just play with It can tell a story or just play with sounds.sounds.

It can paint a picture. It can tell a joke or It can paint a picture. It can tell a joke or a riddle.a riddle.

It even can be a bunch of nonsense It even can be a bunch of nonsense words strung together just for fun.words strung together just for fun.

However….

Despite these differences, you can Despite these differences, you can often use the same skills you would often use the same skills you would use to carefully read and understand use to carefully read and understand a fiction or nonfiction passage to a fiction or nonfiction passage to understand all kinds of poetry.understand all kinds of poetry.

The Structure

A A line line is the words contained in one is the words contained in one line of text.line of text.

Each group of lines is called a Each group of lines is called a stanzastanza..

Where the Sidewalk EndsBy Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk endsThere is a place where the sidewalk endsAnd before the street begins,And before the street begins,And there the grass grows soft and white,And there the grass grows soft and white,And there the sun burns crimson bright,And there the sun burns crimson bright,And there the moon-bird rests from his flightAnd there the moon-bird rests from his flightTo cool in the peppermint wind.To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows blackLet us leave this place where the smoke blows blackAnd the dark street winds and bends.And the dark street winds and bends.Past the pits where the asphalt flowers growPast the pits where the asphalt flowers growWe shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,And watch where the chalk-white arrows goAnd watch where the chalk-white arrows goTo the place where the sidewalk ends.To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,For the children, they mark, and the children, they knowFor the children, they mark, and the children, they knowThe place where the sidewalk ends.The place where the sidewalk ends.

Where the Sidewalk EndsBy Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk endsThere is a place where the sidewalk endsAnd before the street begins,And before the street begins,And there the grass grows soft and white,And there the grass grows soft and white,And there the sun burns crimson bright,And there the sun burns crimson bright,And there the moon-bird rests from his flightAnd there the moon-bird rests from his flightTo cool in the peppermint wind.To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows blackLet us leave this place where the smoke blows blackAnd the dark street winds and bends.And the dark street winds and bends.Past the pits where the asphalt flowers growPast the pits where the asphalt flowers growWe shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,And watch where the chalk-white arrows goAnd watch where the chalk-white arrows goTo the place where the sidewalk ends.To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,For the children, they mark, and the children, they knowFor the children, they mark, and the children, they knowThe place where the sidewalk ends.The place where the sidewalk ends.

Literary Devices

Rhyme scheme Rhyme scheme is the pattern of is the pattern of rhyming lines in a poem. This pattern rhyming lines in a poem. This pattern can be represented by letters.can be represented by letters.For example,For example,‘‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

did gyre and gimble in the wabe:did gyre and gimble in the wabe:All mimsy were the borogovesAll mimsy were the borogoves

and the mome raths out grabeand the mome raths out grabe

Beware the Jabberwock, my son!Beware the Jabberwock, my son!The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shunBeware the Jubjub bird, and shunThe frumious Bandersnatch!”The frumious Bandersnatch!”

Literary Devices

Rhyme scheme Rhyme scheme is the pattern of is the pattern of rhyming lines in a poem. This pattern rhyming lines in a poem. This pattern can be represented by letters.can be represented by letters.For example,For example,‘‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

did gyre and gimble in the wabe:did gyre and gimble in the wabe:All mimsy were the borogovesAll mimsy were the borogoves

and the mome raths out grabeand the mome raths out grabe

Beware the Jabberwock, my son!Beware the Jabberwock, my son!The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shunBeware the Jubjub bird, and shunThe frumious Bandersnatch!”The frumious Bandersnatch!”

Where the Sidewalk EndsBy Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk endsThere is a place where the sidewalk endsAnd before the street begins,And before the street begins,And there the grass grows soft and white,And there the grass grows soft and white,And there the sun burns crimson bright,And there the sun burns crimson bright,And there the moon-bird rests from his flightAnd there the moon-bird rests from his flightTo cool in the peppermint wind.To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows blackLet us leave this place where the smoke blows blackAnd the dark street winds and bends.And the dark street winds and bends.Past the pits where the asphalt flowers growPast the pits where the asphalt flowers growWe shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,And watch where the chalk-white arrows goAnd watch where the chalk-white arrows goTo the place where the sidewalk ends.To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,For the children, they mark, and the children, they knowFor the children, they mark, and the children, they knowThe place where the sidewalk ends.The place where the sidewalk ends.

3. What is the rhyme scheme of the first stanza?

A.AABBBAB.ABABABC.AAABBBD.ABABCD

4. What is the rhyme scheme for the second stanza

A. CADDDAB. AABBBAC. CBDDDAD. DABBBCA

Literary Devices

Alliteration Alliteration is the use of two or more is the use of two or more words that begin with the same words that begin with the same consonant sound (such as c, t, th, cl, consonant sound (such as c, t, th, cl, or dr). Such lines are called or dr). Such lines are called alliteration when they appear in a alliteration when they appear in a single line of poetry or within a single line of poetry or within a phrase or sentence.phrase or sentence.

For example,For example,Susie sells Silly String at the soda stand.Susie sells Silly String at the soda stand.

Literary Devices

Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is the use of a word to is the use of a word to represent a real sound. represent a real sound. Hiss Hiss is an is an example of onomatopoeia. Animal example of onomatopoeia. Animal sounds such as moo, baa, and meow sounds such as moo, baa, and meow are also onomatopoeic.are also onomatopoeic.Question 5.Question 5.Which of these words is an example of onomatopoeia?Which of these words is an example of onomatopoeia?a. brooma. broomb. buzzb. buzzc. brownc. brownd. bored. bore

Literary Devices

Repetition Repetition is the use of the same is the use of the same word or live over and over gain. This word or live over and over gain. This device is frequently used in song device is frequently used in song lyrics and folktales to establish lyrics and folktales to establish rhythm and to make them easy to rhythm and to make them easy to remember.remember.

There is a place where the sidewalk endsThere is a place where the sidewalk endsAnd before the street begins,And before the street begins,And there the grass grows soft and white,And there the grass grows soft and white,And there the sun burns crimson bright,And there the sun burns crimson bright,And there the moon-bird rests from his flightAnd there the moon-bird rests from his flightTo cool in the peppermint wind.To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows blackLet us leave this place where the smoke blows blackAnd the dark street winds and bends.And the dark street winds and bends.Past the pits where the asphalt flowers growPast the pits where the asphalt flowers growWe shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,And watch where the chalk-white arrows goAnd watch where the chalk-white arrows goTo the place where the sidewalk ends.To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,For the children, they mark, and the children, they knowFor the children, they mark, and the children, they knowThe place where the sidewalk ends.The place where the sidewalk ends.

Where the Sidewalk EndsBy Shel Silverstein

Literary Devices

Figurative language Figurative language is language that is language that goes beyond the literal meaning of goes beyond the literal meaning of the words. the words.

A A similesimile uses like or as to compare uses like or as to compare things.things.

A A metaphormetaphor says that one thing says that one thing is is another.another.

Literary Devices

Figurative language Figurative language is language that is language that goes beyond the literal meaning of goes beyond the literal meaning of the words. the words.

A A similesimile uses like or as to compare uses like or as to compare things.things.

A A metaphormetaphor says that one thing says that one thing is is another.another.

Literary Devices

Questions (Y/N)Questions (Y/N)7. You are the light in my life.7. You are the light in my life.8. Life is like a box of chocolates.8. Life is like a box of chocolates.9. She is as busy as a bee.9. She is as busy as a bee.10. He tried to help but his legs were 10. He tried to help but his legs were rubber.rubber.11. You are as brave as a lion.11. You are as brave as a lion.12. He has the heart of a lion.12. He has the heart of a lion.

Literary Devices

Personification Personification gives animals or objects gives animals or objects human qualities.human qualities.

The moon peeked out from behind a cloud.The moon peeked out from behind a cloud.

The stars danced playfully in the moonlit The stars danced playfully in the moonlit sky.sky.

The run down house appeared depressed.The run down house appeared depressed.

The first rays of morning tiptoed through The first rays of morning tiptoed through the meadow.the meadow.

She did not realize that opportunity was She did not realize that opportunity was knocking at her door.knocking at her door.

Literary Devices

Questions (Y/N)Questions (Y/N)

13. The flowers waltzed in the gentle 13. The flowers waltzed in the gentle breeze.breeze.

14. The sun glared down at me from the 14. The sun glared down at me from the sky.sky.

15. The moon winked at me through the 15. The moon winked at me through the clouds above.clouds above.

16. The wind sang through the meadow.16. The wind sang through the meadow.