Poetic Devices ~ Effects

Question 1

What is the effect of Alliteration?

Answer 1

Emphasises words and ideas, makes descriptions more vivid. Unites words and concepts together

Question 2

What is the effect of Assonance?

Answer 2

Helps create tone and effects rhythm (e.g. a, o and u can slow down a line, making it sound sad and weary and it can speed up a line). Gives a sense of continuity

Question 3

What is the effect of Consonance?

Answer 3

Helps create tone and effect rhythm (e.g. ‘s’ sound is slow/soothing)

Question 4

What is the effect of Onomatopoeia?

Answer 4

Emphasises words and ideas, makes descriptions more vivid.

Question 5

What is the effect of Repetition?

Answer 5

Reinforces words and ideas, makes them more memorable and leaves a lasting impression. Makes poem more contained.

Question 6

What is the effect of Rhyme?

Answer 6

Makes it memorable. Drives forward the rhythm. Unifies the poem and adds structure

Question 7

What is the effect of Rhythm?

Answer 7

Chosen to achieve a particular effect (e.g. to mirror pattern of natural speech or the pace of walking). May be fast, lively, slow, regular, irregular, awkward, tense, brisk, flowing, smooth e.c.t.

Question 8

What is the effect of Imagery?

Answer 8

Creates vivid mental pictures and evokes ideas, feelings and atmosphere by appealing to the senses (sight, smell, taste, touch and sound)

Question 9

What is the effect of a Simile?

Answer 9

Enhances descriptions, expands reader’s understanding of what a poet is trying to convey, clarifies meaning

Question 10

What is the effect of a Metaphor?

Answer 10

Can uncover new and intriguing qualities of the original thing that we may not normally notice or even consider important. Helps us to realize a new and different meaning. Makes it more interesting to read.

Question 11

What is the effect of Personification?

Answer 11

Makes objects and their actions easier to visualize for a reader. Makes the poem more interesting and achieves a much more vivid image.

Question 12

What is the effect of Symbolism?

Answer 12

Enables the writer to convey images directly to the mind of the reader - it serves almost like an emotional short - cut

Question 13

What is the effect of a Rhetorical Question?

Answer 13

Plants a question in the reader’s mind and then guides them towards the answer they want them to reach. Makes a deeper impression upon the reader than a direct statement would.

Question 14

What is the effect of Colloquial Language?

Answer 14

Makes it sound realistic, part of the speaker’s identity, can indicate pride in roots, shows a relaxed and casual attitude.

Question 15

What is the effect of Emotive Language?

Answer 15

Plays on the reader’s feelings, gets them to think or feel in a certain way according to a poet’s intentions

Question 16

What is the effect of Free Verse?

Answer 16

Allows for poet’s creativity. Can imply freedom, flexibility and fluidity. Lines may suggest excitement or a passionate outpouring, short lines break the flow and add emphasis.

Question 17

What is the effect of a Couplet?

Answer 17

Keeps a tight structure. Can conclude a poem

Question 18

What is the effect of Enjambment?

Answer 18

Draws the reader from line to line and verse to verse and makes poetry flow quicker by making it less blocky. Makes end rhymes more subtle. Can indicate excitement, anger or passion

Question 19

What is the effect of Caesura?

Answer 19

Stops rhythm becoming predictable. Mirrors natural speech. Lots of pauses slows the pace of the poem. May make you pause abruptly, drawing attention to that idea