Lit Device Review
This poetic device, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in close proximity, creates a noticeable percussive effect, as seen in "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."
Alliteration
Running over of lines from one line to the next
Enjambment
"The sun smiled down on the earth"is an example of what?
personification
in poetry, we don't read sentence, we read ______
lines
Driver's License
Strawberry skies and sunsets blurred, The passenger seat, a silent word. He's with blonde now, a cruel new scene, My picture fading, once so keen.
AP Lit Question: Analyze the tone conveyed in the second stanza and identify one specific image that contributes to this tone.
The tone is melancholic and nostalgic. The image "My picture fading, once so keen" visually represents the speaker's fading significance in the other person's life.
Repetition of vowel sounds in words that are close to each other in a sentence or phrase
Assonance
What are 3 ways a poem can "shift"?
Tone, subject, focus, sound (rhythm, rhyme, word choice)
"He was a real Romeo with the ladies"
Allusion
What is the term used to describe the arrangement of words and phrases?
syntax
Fresh Prince Theme Song
West Philadelphia, born and raised, Playground was where I spent most of my days. Chillin' out, maxin', relaxin' all cool, Shootin' some b-ball outside of the school.
The diction is informal, colloquial ("chillin' out," "maxin'"), and specific to the speaker's youthful, urban background, establishing a relatable and authentic voice.
An author’s use of vivid, descriptive language, often intended to create sensory detail and help the reader visualize a scene or experience.
Imagery
Repetition of words (usually at the start of line)
Anaphora
The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect
Juxtaposition
This is a group of lines in a poem, considered as a unit, often separated by spaces. It's the poetic equivalent of a paragraph in prose.
Stanza
Taylor Swift - Shake It Off (Chorus)
'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake I shake it off, I shake it off
The repetition of "play, play, play," "hate, hate, hate," and "shake, shake, shake" emphasizes the relentless nature of the external negativity and the speaker's determined act of dismissal.
The intentional choice and use of words and phrases in writing, often analyzed for its effect on tone, meaning, and characterization.
diction
In poetry, when two things are held side by side to communicate difference or distinction.
Contrast, juxtaposition
"I could eat a horse!"
hyperbole
A poem that follows a specific, patterned rhyme scheme.
Hamilton - My Shot (Excerpt)
I am not throwing away my shot! I am not throwing away my shot! Hey yo, I'm just like my country, I'm young, scrappy and hungry, And I'm not throwing away my shot!
The "shot" symbolizes opportunity, ambition, and the chance to make a significant impact, reflecting Hamilton's drive and his belief in seizing his moment.
This element refers to the central message or insight about life explored in a literary work.
theme
Identify 3 devices that impact the rhythm of a poem
Rhyme, linebreaks (lineation), meter (beat)
"He was boiling over with a fierce, pressurized rage that threatened to crack his calm exterior."
metaphor
Why is "Monologue for St. Louis" considered an open poem?
It does not follow a specific, regular rhyme scheme.
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car (Chorus)
You got a fast car I want a ticket to anywhere Maybe we can make a deal Maybe together we can get somewhere
AP Lit Question: Analyze the symbolism of the "fast car" in this chorus. What does it represent for the speaker?
The "fast car" symbolizes the hope for escape, freedom, and a better life, representing a potential vehicle to transcend their current circumstances and reach "anywhere."