This document discusses poetic devices including personification and hyperbole. It provides examples of personification that give human characteristics to non-human objects or ideas. It then gives examples of hyperbole, which are exaggerations used for effect rather than being literally true. The document encourages writing personification sentences and diamante poems, which have a specific structure and use opposites as topics. It also prompts writing responses using hyperbole.

1. Personification and HyperbolePoetic Devices

2. PersonificationGives human characteristics to objects, ideas, or other inanimate things. Examples:The moon danced upon the ocean as if on a spotlighted stage.The tired old shoe felt lonesome and dejected in the back of the closet.The rock observed the rushing waterfall as it came crashing down the mountain.The cell phone alarm screamed and hollered at me until finally I rolled out of bed.

3. Personification ActivityWrite a complete sentence using personification for each of the following objects:A houseA television setA can of hair sprayLawnmowerLeaky rowboatA penComputerA school deskA wheelA calla lily

4. Writing your ownOne of the most popular forms of personification poems are Diamante Poems.A diamante poem is a poem in the shape of a diamond. It does not have to rhyme but each line uses specific types of words like adjectives and –ing words. The prefix “dia” actually means “opposite” thus you choose TWO opposite topics to write about.Examples:Villain-heroFriend-enemyHot-cold

5. Structure of a Diamante poemline 1 - one noun (subject #1)line 2 - two adjectives (describing subject #1)line 3 - three participles (ending in -ing, telling about subject #1)line 4 - four nouns or a short phrase (this is the transition sentence from subject #1 to subject #2)line 5 - three participles (ending in -ing, telling about subject #2)line 6 - two adjectives (describing subject #2)line 7 - one noun (subject #2 – usually the antonym of subject #1)

6. seasonsWinter Rainy, cold Skiing, skating, sledding Mountains, wind, breeze, ocean Swimming, surfing, scuba diving Sunny, hot Summer

7. Your turn!Go to my website www.captonworkshops.wikispaces.comClick on English 11 AssignmentsGo to bottom of page and click on the Diamante Poem linkOnce there, I want you to look at what a Diamante poem is, look at the example of JUST the antonym Diamante poemThen click Get Started and start typing your Diamante poem! 

8. HyperboleAn exaggeration. Used for effect and is not intended to be taken LITERALLY. Used in comedy.Examples:His feet smelled so bad it could kill a horse.He was so good looking that my jaw dropped to the floor when he walked in.The cupcakes that my mother made last night were as hard as baseballs by this morning that they broke my teeth.

9. Hyperbole ActivityAnswer threequestion with an exaggeration:How tall was the building?How much money did the rich man have?How funny was the comedian?How cute was the puppy?How big was the fish that you caught?How pretty was the sunset?How angry was Ms. Capton?How much did it rain?