Anaphora Alert
What is anaphora?
The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or phrases.
What is alliteration?
The repetition of the same beginning consonant sound in nearby words.
What is a simile?
A comparison of two unlike things using like or as.
What is hyperbole?
An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect.
“My heart was full of sunshine.” What might the speaker mean?
The speaker feels happy or joyful.
Read: “I remember the sunshine. / I remember the rain. / I remember the laughter.” What is the anaphora?
I remember
Identify the alliteration: “Seven silly snakes slithered slowly.”
Seven silly snakes slithered slowly — the /s/ sound.
“The moon was a glowing pearl in the sky.” Is this a simile or metaphor?
Metaphor.
What does the idiom “It's raining cats and dogs” mean?
It is raining very heavily.
“I carry my family in my heart.” Is this literal or figurative? Explain.
A difficult time or challenge.
Read: “We ran through the fields. / We danced in the rain. / We laughed all afternoon.” Identify the anaphora.
We
Read: “Bright butterflies bounced beside blue blossoms.” Identify at least three words that demonstrate alliteration.
Bright, butterflies, bounced, beside, blue, blossoms.
“Her smile was as bright as the morning sun.” Identify the device and explain why.
Simile, because it uses “as” to compare her smile to the sun.
“I have told you a million times!” Identify the device and explain its meaning.
Hyperbole. The speaker exaggerates to emphasize repeating something many times.
“We stood together through the storm.” What might “the storm” represent?
A difficult time or challenge.
Read: “I will climb every mountain. / I will cross every river. / I will follow every dream.” Why does the poet repeat “I will”?
To emphasize the speaker's determination and make the message stronger.
Read: “Misty mornings made mountains mysterious.” Identify the repeated beginning sound.
The /m/ sound.
Read: “The classroom was a buzzing beehive. / Students moved like busy bees.” Identify the metaphor and simile.
Metaphor: The classroom was a buzzing beehive. Simile: Students moved like busy bees.
“After the long race, my legs felt like jelly.” Identify the device and explain the meaning.
Simile. The speaker's legs feel weak or shaky.
Read: “I remember the laughter. / I remember the tears. / I remember the love through all of our years.” What does the repetition emphasize?
The speaker's strong emotional connection to memories and relationships.
Read: “My home is where I laugh. / My home is where I learn. / My home is where I belong.” Identify the anaphora and explain its effect.
“My home is where I” is repeated. It emphasizes how important home is to the speaker and creates rhythm.
Read: “Softly, silver streams slipped / Beneath big, bending branches.” Identify two examples of alliteration.
Softly, silver streams slipped (/s/) and beneath big bending branches (/b/).
Read: “My brother is a shining star. / His laughter rings like tiny bells.” Identify both devices and explain what each comparison means.
Metaphor: My brother is a shining star, meaning he is special. Simile: His laughter rings like tiny bells, meaning his laughter sounds pleasant or bright.
Read: “The sun was a golden drum / Beating over the busy town.” Identify the figurative comparison and explain what it might mean.
Metaphor: The sun was a golden drum. It suggests the sun is powerful or sets the pace of the day.
Read: “Our roots run deeper than the tallest tree. / Our stories live in every memory.” What message is the poet communicating?
Family history, memories, and identity are important and lasting.