Poetic Terms

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Slide 48

Onomatopoeia

The use of words whose sounds suggest the sounds made by objects or activities.

Slide 49

“Blind eyes could blaze like meteors”

ONOMATOPOEIA

Other examples:

buzz, hum, kiss

Slide 50

Symbol/Symbolism

Something concrete, such as an object, action, character, or scene that stands for something abstract such as a concept or an idea.

Slide 51

“Do not go gentle into that good night

Rage, Rage against the dying of the light”

SYMBOL/SYMBOLISM

Both phrases are symbols that

stand for death.

Slide 52

Theme

The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work.

Slide 53

“Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes”

THEME

Slide 54

Conceit

Comparing two very dissimilar things. Usually involves cleverness and ingenuity.

Slide 55

“Our love is like parallel lines”

CONCEIT

This is also a simile.

Slide 56

Metonymy

A term naming an object is substituted for another word with which it is closely associated with.

Slide 57

“Only through the sweat of your brow can you achieve success”

METONYMY

“Sweat” stands for hard work.

Slide 58

Heroic couplet

A pair of rhymed verse lines that contain a complete thought.

Slide 59

“But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,

All losses are restor’d and sorrows end.”

HEROIC COUPLET