Figures of Speech (definitions)
Poetry Analysis
Figures of Speech
(examples)
Poetry Analysis
Poetic Structures and Elements
100

A comparison between two different things using "like" or "as."

Simile 

100

What is the theme of this poem? 

In your eyes, I find my way,
A compass guiding night and day.
With every heartbeat, love unfolds,
A story whispered, soft and bold.
Together, forever, our souls entwined.

Love

100

His words were a double-edged sword.

Metaphor 

100

This poem uses a lot of _______. 

The leaves on the ground danced in the wind. 

The brook sang merrily as it went on its way. 

The fence posts gossiped and watched cars go by which winked at each other just to say hi. 

The traffic lights yelled, ”Stop, slow, go!”

Personification 

100

A single row of words arranged horizontally on the page.

Line

200

Attributing human qualities or characteristics to non-human entities or abstract concepts.

Personification 
200

Which line of the poem below has a figure of speech and which figure of speech is used?

Her smile is bright like the morning sun,
Chasing the shadows, inviting everyone.
With laughter that sparkles like stars in the night,
She fills the room with warmth and light.
In her embrace, the world feels like fun.

First line - simile 

200

It was so cold, I saw polar bears wearing jackets.

Hyperbole 

200

What is the theme of this poem? 

In laughter and joy, we find our place,
A bond that grows stronger, time can’t erase.
Through thick and thin, we stand side by side,
In every adventure, together we ride.
In the heart of a friend, there’s always grace.

Friendship, relationships, community 

200

The _____ of a poem is the underlying message, idea, or central topic that the poet explores throughout the work.

Theme

300

A word that imitates the sound it describes.

Onomatopoeia

300

What is the theme of this poem? 

Through storms that rage and mountains high,
With grit and grace, we learn to fly.
Each step we take, though hard it seems,
We forge our path and chase our dreams.
In every struggle, strength is born.

Perseverance, grit, resiliency 

300

She let the cat out of the bag.

Idiom 

300

How many examples of onomatopoeia can you find in this poem? 

The splash of waves on the sandy shore,
The buzz of bees in flowers galore.
Clap of thunder as the storm draws near,
The chirp of birds brings the morning clear.
Nature sings sweetly, we can’t help but adore.

Four 

Splash, buzz, clap, chirp 

300

The emotion or feeling that the poet is getting across to the reader. 

Mood
400

The repetition of similar sounds at the end of lines, often used in poetry.

Rhyme. 

400

What is the theme of this poem? 

With every wrinkle, a story to tell,
Time’s gentle touch, a bittersweet spell.
Seasons may change, but wisdom remains,
In laughter and tears, we gather our gains.
Growing older, we learn to love well.

Growing older, growing wiser, aging 

400

The sun set softly over the shimmering sea.

Alliteration 
400

What is the theme implied in this poem? 

You make me smile like the sun, 

Fall outta bed, sing like a bird 

Dizzy in my head, spin like a record 

You make me smile

Love, happiness, gratefulness 

400

The grouping of poetic lines that are essential to the organization and aesthetic of poetry.

Stanzas 

500

The initial consonant sounds of words are repeated in close succession within a phrase or sentence.

Alliteration 

500

Which line of the poem below has a figure of speech and which figure of speech is used?

In the garden of hope, seeds are sown,
Where dreams take root, and courage is grown.
Life’s river flows with twists and bends,
Through rocky shores, our spirit mends.
With every dawn, we rise, reborn.

First line - metaphor 

500

The distant sound of thunder cracked through the valley, a deep growl that resonated like a sleeping giant awakening.

Imagery 

500

How many examples of personification are in this poem?  

"Have you got a brook in your little heart, 

Where bashful flowers blow, 

And blushing birds go down to drink, 

And shadows tremble so?"

Three 

Bashful flowers, blushing birds, shadows tremble 

500

A poem that (oftentimes) focusses on nature and has 17 syllables. 

Haiku