Poetic Devices

Question 1

Alliteration

Answer 1

the repetition of initial consonant sounds

Question 2

Allusion

Answer 2

a direct or indirect reference to a familiar figure, place or event from history, literature, mythology or the bible

Question 3

Apostrophe

Answer 3

figure of speech in which a person not present is addressed.

Question 4

Assonance

Answer 4

a close repetition of similar vowel sounds, usually in stressed syllables

Question 5

Atmosphere/mood

Answer 5

is the prevailing feeling that is created in a story or poem.

Question 6

Cliche

Answer 6

an overused expression that has lost its intended force or novelty.

Question 7

Connotation

Answer 7

the emotional suggestions attached to words beyond their strict definitions.

Question 8

Consonance

Answer 8

close repetition of identical consonant sounds before and after different vowels.

Question 9

Contrast

Answer 9

the comparison or juxtaposition of things that are different

Question 10

Figurative language

Answer 10

Language used in such a way as to force words out of their literal meanings by emphasizing their connotations to bring new insight and feeling to the subject.

Question 11

Hyperbole

Answer 11

an exaggeration in the service of truth - an overstatement.

Question 12

Idiom

Answer 12

is a term or phrase that cannot be understood by a literal translation, but refers instead to a figurative meaning that is understood through common use.

Question 13

Imagery

Answer 13

is the representation through language of sense experience. The image most often suggests a mental picture, but an image may also represent a sound, smell, taste or tactile experience.

Question 14

Irony

Answer 14

is a literary device which reveals concealed or contradictory meanings.

Question 15

Juxtaposition

Answer 15

is the overlapping or mixing of opposite or different situations, characters, settings, moods, or points of view in order to clarify meaning, purpose, or character, or to heighten certain moods, especially humour, horror, and suspense. also Contrast

Question 16

Literal language

Answer 16

what is said is based in reality without the comparisons used in figurative language.

Question 17

Metaphor

Answer 17

a comparison between two things which are essentially dissimilar. The comparison is implied rather than directly stated.

Question 18

Meter

Answer 18

any regular pattern of rhythm based on stressed and unstressed syllables.

Question 19

Onomatopoeia

Answer 19

the use of words which sound like what they mean.

Question 20

Paradox

Answer 20

a statement in which there is an apparent contradiction which is actually true.

Question 21

Oxomoron

Answer 21

two words placed close together which are contradictory, yet have truth in them.

Question 22

Personification

Answer 22

giving human attributes to an animal, object or idea.

Question 23

Rhyme Scheme

Answer 23

any pattern of rhymes in poetry. Each new sound is assigned the next letter in the a

Question 24

Rhythm

Answer 24

a series of stressed or accented syllables in a group of words, arranged so that the reader expects a similar series to follow.

Question 25

Simile

Answer 25

a comparison between two things which are essentially dissimilar. The comparison is directly stated through words such as like, as, than or resembles.

Question 26

Symbol

Answer 26

a symbol has two levels of meaning, a literal level and a figurative level. Characters, objects, events and settings can all be symbolic in that they represent something else beyond themselves.

Question 27

Theme

Answer 27

is the central idea of the story, usually implied rather than directly stated. It is the writer’s idea abut life and can be implied or directly stated through the voice of the speaker. It should not be confused with moral or plot.

Question 28

Tone

Answer 28

is the poet’s attitude toward his/her subject or readers. it is similar to tone of voice but should not be confused with mood or atmosphere. An author’s tone might be sarcastic, sincere, humourous . . .

Question 29

Trope

Answer 29

a figure of speech in which a word is used outside its literal meaning. Simile and metaphor are the two most common tropes.