Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in close proximity. Example: “Sally sells seashells by the seashore.”
Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. Example: “The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain.”
Connotation: The emotional or cultural associations that a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Example: “Home” connotes warmth, safety, and belonging.
Denotation: The literal, dictionary definition of a word. Example: “Home” denotes the place where one lives permanently.
Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase without a pause beyond the end of a line or stanza. Example: “The sun sets slowly, Painting the sky with hues of red And orange, as night approaches.”
Hyperbole: An exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally. Example: “I’ve told you a million times not to exaggerate.”
Imagery: The use of vivid and descriptive language to create sensory experiences for the reader. Example: “The golden leaves fell like a shower of coins, carpeting the forest floor with a rich tapestry of color.”
Irony: A figure of speech where the intended meaning is opposite or different from the literal meaning, often for humorous or emphatic effect. Example: Saying “What a beautiful day!” when it’s raining heavily.
Metaphor: A figure of speech that compares two unlike things by saying one thing is another. Example: “Her eyes were shining stars in the night sky.”
Onomatopoeia: The formation of a word from a sound associated with its meaning. Example: “The bees buzzed, and the brook babbled.”
Personification: Giving human qualities or characteristics to non-human entities or inanimate objects. Example: “The wind whispered through the trees, gently caressing their branches.”
Simile: A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using “like” or “as.” Example: “Her smile was as warm as a summer’s day.”
Symbol: A person, place, object, or action that represents something beyond its literal meaning. Example: A dove symbolizing peace.
Tone: The attitude or feeling expressed by the writer toward the subject or theme of the poem. Example: A somber tone might include words like “gloomy,” “dark,” and “forlorn.”
Rhyme scheme: The pattern of rhyming words at the end of lines in a poem. Example: In a poem with an ABAB rhyme scheme, the first and third lines rhyme, and the second and fourth lines rhyme
