English Second Language Notes

1. Chairman Mao Zedong High
School
ENGLISH 2nd LANGUAGE
POETRY
By: Mr. Fillipus Lineekela

2. Exit Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit you should be able to:
•Define poetry.
•Identify different figures of speech used in
poetry

3. What is poetry?
• Poetry is a kind of literature which is quite different
from novels and play.
• The language of novels and plays is usually prose.
• A history , novel or a composition are example of
prose.
• They are made up of phrases, sentences and
paragraphs.
• Prose is one way of organising a language.

4. Why poetry is different from prose?
• A poet uses language in different form.
• Poetry is a language spoken from heart.
• Poet does not use the organisation of sentences and paragraphs.
• He uses stanzas or verses.
• It’s context
• Poems are shorter than novels.
• Poems do sometimes tells a stories.

5. Poems have different levels of meaning
Literary meaning
Deeper meaning/ Figurative meaning

6. Literary Meaning
•Saying nothing more than the
obvious meaning.

7. Deeper Meaning
•Poet wants us to think about what he has to say
•These meanings are not obvious
•The do not Immediately occur to us
•We have to explore and appreciate them

8. Figures of speech used in poetry
Imagery
• Imagery create vivid pictures or sensations in the
mind by likening one thing to another.
Imagery includes:
i. Similes
ii. Metaphor
iii. Personification
iv. Symbol

9. Simile
•A comparison using words like OR as
•Brings out a point of likeness between two
different things
Examples
oHer skin was as white as snow.
oHis hand was trembling like a leaf.

10. Metaphor
• A direct comparison without using like or as.
• One thing is said to be the other thing.
Examples
oHe is a Lion.
oThe train snaked its way up the valley.
oThat boy is an ass.

11. Personification
• Giving human characteristics to non-human things.
Examples
oThe sky is crying.
oThe kettle sang merrily.
oThe angry wind.

12. Hyperbole
•Is an exaggeration for effect or emphasis
Examples
oDinner took ages.
oI’m so hungry, I can eat the whole cow.

13. Irony
• When you mean the opposite of what the word state.
Example
oYou are a nice one
oYou are beautiful
oLook how this class is, you could win an award for
cleanliness.

14. Onomatopoeia
• These words echo and imitate the natural sounds of objects,
things, people and actions.
Example
oClip Clop
oHiss
oBoom
oBuzz
opurr

15. Paradox
• Is a saying which seems to contradict itself, but in fact
true.
Examples
oYou can save money by spending it.
oThis is the beginning of the end.
oI know one thing, that I know nothing.

16. Oxymoron
• Combination of opposites.
• They are used to make the person stop and think,
whether is to laugh or ponder.
Examples
oRun slowly
oOpen secret
oSmall crowd
oWalking dead

17. Euphemism
• Is a mild indirect way of describing an unpleasant or
embarrassing thing.
Examples
oPassed away instead of died.
oCorrectional facility instead of Jail

18. Symbol
• Is an object standing for some idea
Examples
oThe cross is a symbol of Christianity.
oStatue of Liberty (Unity)
oEiffel Tower (Love)

19. =Thank You!=