This document provides an overview of various literary devices used in poetry, including definitions and examples. It discusses end rhyme, repetition, alliteration, onomatopoeia, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, imagery, personification, and rhyme. Examples are given for each device to illustrate how poets use these techniques to convey meaning and tell stories through their work. The document concludes by asking the reader to analyze a Shel Silverstein poem by identifying the literary devices used and their effect on the reader.

1. Unit 4: PoetryUnit 4: Poetry
How do poets effectively
use literary devices to
convey their message and
tell a story?

2. POETRY VOCABULARYPOETRY VOCABULARY
• End rhyme
• Repetition
• Alliteration
• Onomatopoeia
• Simile
• Metaphor
• Hyperbole
• Imagery

3. RHYMERHYME
• Rhyme is used in
many poems. Using
words that sound alike
makes poetry fun to
read and write.
• Examples:
– drink & stink
– world & hurled

4. RepetitionRepetition
• Repetition is used to make an impact on the
poem’s tone. Words or phrases are repeated
throughout the poem.
• Here comes summer,
• Here comes summer,
• Chirping robin, budding rose.
• Here comes summer,
• Here comes summer,
• Gentle showers, summer clothes.
• By Shel Silverstein

5. AlliterationAlliteration
• Alliteration uses the same beginning word
sounds over and over, like a tongue twister.
• My beautiful bubbles burst and then,
• I simply blow some more again.
• The setting sun slipped slowly down,
• Making room for the milky moon.

6. Simile and MetaphorSimile and Metaphor
• Similes are comparisons that use “like” or
“as.”
Her eyes are as green as
emeralds. Clouds soft and fluffy
like marshmallows.
• Metaphors are comparisons that say one
thing is another.
My father’s anger is a volcano about to

7. OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia
• Onomatopoeia is the use of words that
imitate sounds.
• Wham! Splat! Pow! I am in trouble now!

8. HyperboleHyperbole
• Hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration
• For example:
She has a brain the size of a pinhead.
I nearly died.
He is as big as an elephant!
I’ve heard that a billion times!

9. ImageryImagery
• Imagery happens when the author uses
descriptive language that appeals to the
senses
Buttery popcorn Globs of wet glue
The loud whistle of the train

10. PersonificationPersonification
• Giving objects human qualities
• For example:
The table walked across the room.
The leaves were dancing.

11. Now You Try!!Now You Try!!
Read “Sarah Cynthia Silvia Stout” by Shel
Silverstein. Then complete the following:
1.What is the author SAYING?
2.What is the author DOING? Label the
sound devices and figurative language.
3.What effect do the sound devices and
figurative language have on the reader?
Explain.