Definitions
When the sound of a word suggests its meaning (e.g., "buzz").
Onomatopoeia
Drip, drip, drip went the tap all night long.”
Repetition
"You like safe sounds: / the dogs lapping at their bowls"
Safe Sounds
Carol Ann Duffy
The emotion or attitude of the poem.
Tone
"The tone of the line 'I laughed as I watched my sandcastle fall' is clearly angry."
"The tone of the line 'I laughed as I watched my sandcastle fall' is clearly HAPPY."
A comparison using “like” or “as.”
Simile
“Boom! The fireworks exploded.”
Onomatopoeia
"Hungry and homeless / Travelling light"
Hungry and Homeless
Brenda Williams
What a poem is literally about?
Subject
"Buzz, crack, boom — the poet uses similes to create sound effects."
"Buzz, crack, boom — the poet uses ONOMATOPOEIA to create sound effects."
When the same consonant sound is repeated at the beginning of nearby words.
Alliteration
“He ran as fast as a rocket.”
Simile
"just lean on me, I do not mind"
A Lean Spell
Brian Bilston
The overall message or main idea of a poem.
Theme
"This line uses a metaphor — 'Her eyes were like stars in the night sky.'"
This line uses a SIMILE — 'Her eyes were like stars in the night sky.'"
This technique gives human qualities to something non-human.
Personification
“The classroom was a zoo.”
Metaphor
"The biography of the bee/ is written in honey"
The Death of the Bee
Linda Pastan
The poem says:
“The sun smiles on my window pane,
Birds sing a welcome song again.”
What is the tone of this poem?
Happy/Cheerful
"The thunder growled angrily across the sky. This is an example of alliteration."
"The thunder growled angrily across the sky. This is an example of PERSONIFICATION."
A strong exaggeration used for effect.
Hyperbole
“The wind whispered through the trees.”
Personification
"Gas! Gas! Quick, Boys!"
Dulce et Decorum Est
Wilfred Owen
The poem says:
“We ran through fields without a care,
My dog and I, the perfect pair.”
What is the theme of this poem?
Friendship/Happiness/Joy
"'The moon, a ghostly ship sailing through clouds' is a simile."
"'The moon, a ghostly ship sailing through clouds' is a METAPHOR."