poetry terms quiz Flashcards
metaphor
a direct comparison of two unlike thinks, usually one more concrere and the other more abstract to help understand the “abstract” term in comparison to the “concrete” one.
ex. the sun is a giant ball in the sky
simile
a comparison of two unlike things, much like the metaphor, esxcept thtat the similie uses “like” or “as” in the comparison
ex. her hair was like coiled snakes around her head
allusion
a reference to history, mythology, the Bible, or literature
ex. she lied so much that her nose started to grow
symbol
when an object in a literary work also represents something more abstract than itself
ex. poison is a symbol in Romeo and Juliet that represents the poisonous nature of their families feud
imagery
content that appeals to the senses
ex. the twinkling stars lit up the black, midnight sky while the soft breeze blew through the trees which rustled slowly
diction
intentional word choice by an author
connotation
an idea or feeling a word evokes in addition to its literal meaning
ex. “home” vs. “house”
denotation
the dictionary definition of a word
personification
the attribution of human characteristics to something nonhuman
ex. the stars danced in the moonlit sky
hyperbole
intentional exaggeration to make a point
ex. i haven’t seen you in a million years
alliteration
the repetition of initial consonant sounds
ex. from forth the fatal loins of these two foes
consonance
repetitoin of consonant sounds in locations other than the beginning of words
ex. the world is charged with the grandeur of God
assonance
the repetition of vowel sounds
ex. hear the mellow wedding bells
tone
the writer’s attitude toward or feelings about the subject matter and audience
meter
the rhythmic pattern of poetry
