LITERARY ELEMENTSLITERARY ELEMENTSWhy is the use poetic devices an essential part of writing Why is the use poetic devices an essential part of writing and experience poetry? and experience poetry?

ParadoxParadox

Contradictory statement that may actually be true. Paradox is similar to oxymoron in that both figures of speech use contradictions to state a truth.

However, paradox does not place opposing words side by side, as oxymoron does.

Examples: (1) They called him a lion. But in the boxing ring, the lion was a lamb.

(2) For slaves, life was death, and death was life.

Why would a poet use paradox?

OxymoronOxymoron

Combining contradictory words to reveal a truth. Oxymoron is a Combining contradictory words to reveal a truth. Oxymoron is a form of paradox. However, unlike paradox, oxymoron places form of paradox. However, unlike paradox, oxymoron places opposing words side by side. opposing words side by side.

Examples:Examples:

(1) Parting is such sweet sorrow.–Shakespeare.(1) Parting is such sweet sorrow.–Shakespeare.

(2) Working in a coal mine is living death. (2) Working in a coal mine is living death.

(3) The hurricane turned the lush island retreat into a hellish (3) The hurricane turned the lush island retreat into a hellish paradise.paradise.

Why would a poet use oxymoron?Why would a poet use oxymoron?

AlliterationAlliteration Repetition of similar or identical sounds at the beginning of words or in Repetition of similar or identical sounds at the beginning of words or in

accented syllables.accented syllables.

It is used to create melody, establish mood, emphasize certain words and It is used to create melody, establish mood, emphasize certain words and point out similarities or contrasts.point out similarities or contrasts.

Examples: Examples:

(1)(1) But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound into saucy doubts and But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound into saucy doubts and fears.–Shakespeare.fears.–Shakespeare.

(2)(2) (2) Duncan is in his grave; after life's fitful fever he sleeps well–(2) Duncan is in his grave; after life's fitful fever he sleeps well–Shakespeare. Shakespeare.

(3)(3) (3) When I was one-and- twenty–A.E. Housman. (Note that "one" has a (3) When I was one-and- twenty–A.E. Housman. (Note that "one" has a "w" sound. (4) I sent thee late a rosy wreath–Ben Jonson. (Note that "wr" "w" sound. (4) I sent thee late a rosy wreath–Ben Jonson. (Note that "wr" has an "r" sound.)has an "r" sound.)

Why would a poet use alliteration? Why would a poet use alliteration?

MetaphorMetaphor

Comparing one thing to an unlike thing without using like, Comparing one thing to an unlike thing without using like, as or than. as or than.

Examples: Examples:

(1) The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve.–(1) The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve.–Shakespeare. (The striker or clapper of the bell is being Shakespeare. (The striker or clapper of the bell is being compared to the tongue of a speaking human being.) compared to the tongue of a speaking human being.)

(3) I am a man whom Fortune hath cruelly scratched.–(3) I am a man whom Fortune hath cruelly scratched.–Shakespeare. (Fortune is being compared to an entity Shakespeare. (Fortune is being compared to an entity that can be cruel.) that can be cruel.)

(4) In battle, the soldier is a tiger. (4) In battle, the soldier is a tiger.

Why would a poet use metaphor? Why would a poet use metaphor?

SimileSimile

Comparing one thing to an unlike thing by using like, as, or than.

Examples: (1) The barge she sat in, like a burnished throne, burned on the water.–Shakespeare.

(2) And the muscles of his brawny arms are strong as iron bands–Longfellow.

Why would a poet use simile?

PersonificationPersonification

Giving humanlike qualities or human form to objects and abstractions. Personification is a form of metaphor.

Examples: (1) Thou has done a deed whereat valor will weep.–Shakespeare. (Notice that valor, an abstraction, weeps.)

(2) Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered–Shakespeare.

(3) Because I could not stop for Death, He kindly stopped for me. –Emily Dickinson.

Why would a poet use personification?

OnomatopeiaOnomatopeia

The use of words sounds suggest the sounds made by the object or activity.

Examples:

1 bam, pow, clang, miaow, woof and quack.

2. “And the rushing and flushing and brushing and gushing, And flapping and rapping and clapping and slapping….and clashing.” The Cataract of Lodore by Robert

Southey.

Why would a poet use this device?

HyperboleHyperbole

A figure of speech of great exaggeration to A figure of speech of great exaggeration to emphasize strong feeling and to create emphasize strong feeling and to create satiric, comic or sentimental effect.satiric, comic or sentimental effect.

Examples:Examples:

a.a. His words still burns the center of the sun, His words still burns the center of the sun, above the thousands and the hundreds above the thousands and the hundreds thousands.thousands.

Why would a poet use this device?Why would a poet use this device?

RhymeRhyme

Words having the same sound in their stressed Words having the same sound in their stressed syllables. Its use may give pleasure to the syllables. Its use may give pleasure to the ear, emphasize important words or lines and ear, emphasize important words or lines and unify parts of the poem or whole poemsunify parts of the poem or whole poems

Examples:Examples:

The cat in the hat sat on a mat.The cat in the hat sat on a mat.

Why would a poet use this device?Why would a poet use this device?

AllusionAllusion

A reference to a historical or literary figure or event. It may allude to myth religion or to any other aspect of ancient or modern culture.

Example: March 15th hit hard this year…I guess the old bird was right, beware the ides of March..

We didn’t start the fire.

Why would a poet use allusion?