Poetry - Figurative Language (Literary Devices)

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What is a metaphor?

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A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things by stating that one thing is another. For example, 'Time is a thief.'

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What is personification?

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Personification is a literary device where human qualities are attributed to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts. For example, 'The wind whispered through the trees.'

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What is a simile?

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A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as.' For example, 'Her smile is like the sun.'

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What is onomatopoeia?

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Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates the natural sound of a thing. It creates a sound effect that mimics the thing described. Examples include 'buzz,' 'hiss,' and 'clang.'

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What is an allusion?

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An allusion is a reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art. It is used to create a connection or add meaning. For example, 'He has the Midas touch.'

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Identify an example of personification: 'The flowers danced in the wind.'

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The flowers are given the human ability to dance, which is an example of personification.

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Identify an example of a simile: 'He runs like the wind.'

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This sentence compares his running speed to the wind using 'like,' which is a simile.

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What is the purpose of using figurative language in poetry?

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Figurative language enhances the meaning, creates imagery, and evokes emotions in poetry, making it more engaging and expressive.

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What is hyperbole?

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Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect. For example, 'I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.'

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What is a pun?

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A pun is a form of word play that exploits multiple meanings of a term or similar-sounding words for humorous or rhetorical effect. For example, 'Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.'