Poetic Devices

Poetic Devices

ELA Grade 6

Amber Vora

What are Poetic Devices? Why are they important?

​Poetic Devices are: tools that a poet can use to create rhythm, enhance a poem's meaning, or intensify a mood or feeling ​

They create a powerful and memorable poem ​

Poetic devices can be used to engage the reader by making the writing more interesting, therefore hooking the reader in to read more. 

Multiple Select

Which of the following is true about poetic devices? (multiple answers may be correct)

• They make the poem less interesting.

• They engage the reader.

• They intensify a mood or feeling.

• They make the reader lose interest really fast.

What are Some Poetic Devices?

Alliteration: ​Alliteration happens when words that start with the same sound (not just the same letter) are used repeatedly in a phrase or sentence. (Usually a consonant) ​

Metaphor: a comparison between two things without using "like" or "as" ​

Rhyme: close similarity in the final sounds of two or more words or lines of writing ​

Personification: giving human traits to something that is not a human

Onomatopoeia: when a word describes a sound and actually mimics the sound of the object or action it refers to when it is spoken Simile​: a comparison between two things using "like" or "as

Examples of Poetic Devices

Alliteration: ​Shut the shutters before the banging sound makes you shudder.

​Metaphor: He is a shining star.

​Rhyme: Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary. 

​Personification: Lightning danced across the sky.

Onomatopoeia: RINGGG! My alarm blasted across the room, and I jolted up. 

Simile​: He was as brave as a lion.

Open Ended

Write a three sentence story about a Winter night using at least one poetic device.