Poetry Terms

Writer’s choice of words. (Specific words convey a particular tone or meaning).

• Theme

• Diction

• Tone

• Connotation

The feelings or associations the reader makes with the word.

• Theme

• Denotation

• Connotation

• Diction

The writer’s or speaker’s attitude about the subject, audience, or character

• diction
• connotation
• topic
• tone

Language used for descriptive effect (Not literally true, but expresses figurative meaning)

• tone
• figurative language
• irony
• theme

The literal meaning or definition of a word

• denotation
• tone
• connotation
• expression

Descriptions that appeal to one or more of the five senses

• imagery
• details
• connotation
• tone

The central message of a literary work--the universal meaning

• theme
• connotation
• tone
• details

A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as”

• symbolism

• personification

• metaphor

• simile

Tags

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Compares two unlike things by speaking of one thing as if it were another

• simile

• metaphor

• personification

• hyperbole

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

When nonhumans (animals, objects) are represented as being human or as having human attributes

• simile

• metaphor

• personification

• hyperbole

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3