Literary Devices
Figurative language that uses "like" or "as"
Simile
She is the "Bees Knees". What does Bees Knees mean?
Awesome, cool
Jason stared into the empty mailbox, disappointment weighing heavily on him. He had hoped for a letter, some kind of sign. Across town, Sarah hesitated before dropping her own letter into the box, wondering if she was too late. Neither of them knew how close they were to reconnecting.
3rd Omniscient
A humorous, frequently bawdy, verse of three long and two short lines rhyming aabba, popularized by Edward Lear.
Limerick
a word used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause
Conjunction
Literary Device that is used to make sounds in writing.
Onomatopoeia
I will grease him up before the contest to make sure I win!
What does Grease mean?
Bribe
You stand at the edge of the platform, heart pounding in your chest. The train is late, again, and the cold wind bites at your skin. You think about calling her, but you know she won’t answer.
2nd Person
Japanese poem that is made up of three lines and 17 syllables. The syllables are arranged as 5-7-5, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third.
Haiku
A word that shows direction or the relationship between the noun and other words in the sentence
Preposition
Literary Device that is an extreme exaggeration
Hyperbole
Discombobulated
Confused, disarray
Jason stared at the empty mailbox, frustration bubbling in his chest. He had been waiting for the letter all week, hoping today would be the day. But once again, nothing. He kicked a stone and turned back toward the house, trying not to let disappointment win.
3rd Limited
A poem of fourteen lines using any of a number of formal rhyme schemes, in English typically having ten syllables per line.
Sonnet
an abrupt remark, made especially as an aside or interruption.
Interjection
Literary Device that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect
Irony
Bamboozled
Tricked
Jason stood by the mailbox. He looked inside, then turned away and kicked a stone. He walked back toward the house with his shoulders slumped and hands in his pockets.
3rd Objective
No set rhyme scheme
No fixed meter: There is no set pattern for the number of syllables per line.
Emphasis on rhythm of speech
Creative line breaks: Poets use line breaks strategically to emphasize certain words or ideas.
Free Verse
used to indicate direct speech
Quotation Marks
Literary Device that gives clues to what will happen.
Foreshadow
Kerfuffle
Major Argument
I gripped the photo tightly, the edges crumpling in my hand. It was the last picture we took before he left, and now every time I looked at it, my chest ached. I couldn’t help wondering if he ever thought about me too.
1st Person
long narrative poem that tells the story of a heroic figure, often with superhuman abilities, undertaking a grand quest or adventure of great mythic or historical significance, typically featuring elevated style and a vast setting, often involving supernatural elements; famous examples include "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" by Homer.
Epic Poem
used to join words to indicate that they have a combined meaning or that they are linked in the grammar of a sentence
Hyphen