The document defines and provides examples of various poetic conventions used in literature, including similes, metaphors, personification, assonance and alliteration, repetition, onomatopoeia, imagery, rhyme, and rhythm. Similes compare two things using "like" or "as", metaphors compare without those words, and personification gives human traits to non-living things. Assonance and alliteration involve repetition of sounds. Repetition draws attention by repeating words or phrases. Onomatopoeia uses words that mimic sounds. Imagery involves descriptive language that engages the senses. Rhyme uses words with similar sounds, and rhythm creates a beat through syllable stress.

1. POETIC CONVENTIONS similes, metaphors, personification, assonance & alliteration, repetition, onomatopoeia, imagery, rhyme, rhythm.

2. SIMILIES Comparing two things using the words “like” or “as” “ cutting, swift as an executioner” “ Keith walks inside like a defeated soldier” (Herrick, S. By the River , page 34)

3. METAPHORS Comparing two things without using the words “like” or “as” “ the battlefield we call a playground” “ the moon is a shiny silver fingernail” (Herrick, S. By the River , page 34, 179)

4. PERSONIFICATION Giving human feelings to something that is not alive “ the branches scrape their fingers down my window…” (Herrick, S. By the River , page 79)

5. ASSONANCE & ALLITERATION Assonance: repetition of the same vowel sound in words close together ‘ fly high’ Alliteration: repetition of same letter to start two or more words in a row ‘ cool, calm and collected’

6. REPETITION Repeating the same word or phrase to draw attention to it. “ Mrs Appleyard says... Mrs Appleyard says... Mrs Appleyard says... Mrs Appleyard says... Mrs Appleyard. Mrs Appleyard. Go and get stuffed.” (Herrick, S. By the River , page 23)

7. ONOMATOPEAIA A word that sounds like the word it represents. “ lightning snaps electricity” “ Dad slams our shutters” “ raindrops pound the chook shed” (Herrick, S. By the River , page 149)

8. IMAGERY Descriptive language used to show what is physically happening, particularly using the five senses “ All I can hear are frogs, rhythmic and low, and my heart, beating, waiting for Johnny” (Herrick, S. By the River , page 160)

9. RHYME Using words that sound alike “ as we hide, eyes wide” (Herrick, S. By the River , page 101)

10. RHYTHM Using syllable length and stress to create a beat or pace in poetic lines. “’ NO!’ I shout again, ‘NO!’ I pick up a rock, hurl it blind, turn and run, Keith fast behind as the glass shatters and doors bang. I don’t stop until bedroom safe” (Herrick, S. By the River , page 100-1)