poetic techniques Flashcards
Part of a poem that makes the reader or audience feel sorrow or pity.
PATHOS
PUN
A play on words
A play on words
PUN
Conjoining (putting together) two contradictory terms ex. deafening silence
OXYMORON
OXYMORON
Conjoining (putting together) two contradictory terms ex. deafening silence
RHYTHM
The arrangement of words in a poem with stresses on different syllables or parts of the poem.
The arrangement of words in a poem with stresses on different syllables or parts of the poem.
RHYTHM
RHYME
Using words that sound the same.
Using words that sound the same.
RHYME
SYLLABLE
An unbroken sound that is part of a word and is used to make up a word.
An unbroken sound that is part of a word and is used to make up a word.
SYLLABLE
Playing around with words such that the meaning implied by a sentence or word is actually different from the literal meaning.
IRONY
IRONY
Playing around with words such that the meaning implied by a sentence or word is actually different from the literal meaning.
The message of the poem; the point the author wishes to make.
THEME
THEME
The message of the poem; the point the author wishes to make.
What the poem is about (the ‘subject matter’)
TOPIC
TOPIC
What the poem is about (the ‘subject matter’)
TONE
The attitude of the writer towards his subject matter.
MOOD
Feelings expressed. Includes what the writer/speaker feels AND how the reader feels when they read the poem. May also be related to the atmosphere created.
The attitude of the writer towards his subject matter.
TONE
Feelings expressed. Includes what the writer/speaker feels AND how the reader feels when they read the poem. May also be related to the atmosphere created.
MOOD
White suggests purity & cleanliness; red – passion & sometimes blood/violence; black – darkness & despair etc.
COLOUR
COLOUR
White suggests purity & cleanliness; red – passion & sometimes blood/violence; black – darkness & despair etc.
POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE ADJECTIVES
tremendous, delirious, fabulous, heavenly V’s heavy, ugly, rusty, terrible, horrific etc.
tremendous, delirious, fabulous, heavenly V’s heavy, ugly, rusty, terrible, horrific etc.
POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE ADJECTIVES
POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE VERBS
to shine, to gather, to spring, to capture, to soothe, to comfort, to light, to brood etc.
to shine, to gather, to spring, to capture, to soothe, to comfort, to light, to brood etc.
POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE VERBS
RHYTHM AND SOUND EFFECTS
If fast can suggest excitement, danger or anger. If slow can suggest relaxation, sadness or disappointment
If fast can suggest excitement, danger or anger. If slow can suggest relaxation, sadness or disappointment
RHYTHM AND SOUND EFFECTS
IMAGERY
The picture the writer creates using words.
The picture the writer creates using words.
IMAGERY
Repeating a word or phrase to emphasise its importance/ create a regular rhythm.
REPETITION
REPETITION
Repeating a word or phrase to emphasise its importance/ create a regular rhythm.
PERSONIFICATION
Describing an object/idea as though it were alive. Giving it human qualities.
Describing an object/idea as though it were alive. Giving it human qualities.
PERSONIFICATION
Placing 2 very different things side by side
CONTRAST
CONTRAST
Placing 2 very different things side by side
A word becomes a sign of something other than simply itself.
SYMBOLISM
SYMBOLISM
A word becomes a sign of something other than simply itself.
Where the writer compares 2 things using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’.
SIMILE
SIMILE
Where the writer compares 2 things using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’.
METAPHOR
Where two things are said to be the same.
Where two things are said to be the same.
METAPHOR
Where the writer makes reference to ‘well-known’ figures or events from literature, history or mythology.
ALLUSION
ALLUSION
Where the writer makes reference to ‘well-known’ figures or events from literature, history or mythology.
HYPERBOLE
The deliberate use of exaggeration.
The deliberate use of exaggeration.
HYPERBOLE
Where words/sentences have more than one meaning/ are open to numerous interpretations.
AMBIGUITY
AMBIGUITY
Where words/sentences have more than one meaning/ are open to numerous interpretations.
A Q that doesn’t require a response (a statement disguised as a question).
RHETORICAL Q
RHETORICAL Q
A Q that doesn’t require a response (a statement disguised as a question).
ALLITERATION
The repetition of the same letter at the beginning of a series of words. Eg. “Billy Brennan’s Barn”
The repetition of the same letter at the beginning of a series of words. Eg. “Billy Brennan’s Barn”
ALLITERATION
ONOMATOPOEIA
Words whose sound imitates their meaning
Words whose sound imitates their meaning
ONOMATOPOEIA
ASSONANCE
The repetition of similar vowel sounds.
The repetition of similar vowel sounds.
ASSONANCE
PATHOS
Part of a poem that makes the reader or audience feel sorrow or pity.
SIBILANCE
A stylistic device in poetry in which an “s” sound is repeated more than twice in quick succession
A stylistic device in poetry in which an “s” sound is repeated more than twice in quick succession
SIBILANCE
