This document provides definitions and examples of various poetic devices including alliteration, symbolism, transferred epithet, anaphora, repetition, enjambment, metaphor, simile, imagery, and personification. It lists these poetic devices with their definitions. For each device, it then provides examples extracted from poems to illustrate how that particular device is used.

1. Poetic Devices
PRESENTED BY: TANNU RANI
CLASS: 12A

2. Contents
• Alliteration 1
• Symbolism 2
• Transferred Epithet 3
• Anaphora 4
• Repetition 5
• Enjambment 6
• Metaphor 7
• Similie 8
• Imagery 9
• Personification 10

3. Alliteration
Definition: occurrence of same letter or sound
at the start of two consecutive words.
• But all I said was see you soon,Amma (My mother at
sixty six)
• stop for one second (Keeping quiet)
• band to bind (A thing of beauty)
• Sprouting Shady,Simple sheep. (A thing of beauty)

4. Symbolism
Definition: Symbolism is a literary device that
uses symbols to represention.
• "Winter Moon" is a symbol of decay. (My mother at
Sixty six)
• "Brothers" symbolise mankind (Keeping Quiet)
• The tigers in the poem symbolise bravery and
freedom. The trembling fingers symbolise Aunt
Jennifer's plight under the tyranny of her husband.
The wedding ring reflects the burden of a marriage
full of oppression. (Aunt Jennifer's Tigers)

5. Transferred Epithet
Definition: A literary device used when an
adjective usually used to describe one thing is
transferred to another.
• Polished traffic (A roadside stand)
• Selfish car (A roadside stand)
• Gloomy days(A Thing of Beauty)
• Unhealthy and o’er darkened ways(A Thing of
Beauty)
• Terrified hands(Aunt Jennifer's Tigers)

6. Anaphora
Definition: The repetition of a word or
phrase at the beginning of successive
clauses
• Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,Of all the
unhealthy and oer- darkened ways
(A thing of beauty)
• smile and smile and smile(My Mother at Sixty Six)
• Two consecutive lines starting with the word ‘Let’s’
(Keping Quiet)

7. Repetition
Definition: Using the same words over and over
again in a piece of writing or speech.
• The word looked has been repeated. (My mother at
Sixty Six)
• without rush, without engines (Keeping Quiet)

8. Enjambment
Definition:The continuation of sentence
without a pause in the end of a line or
stanza.
• Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep
still (Keeping quiet)

9. Metaphor
Definition: A figure of speech that states one
thing is another thing.
• The merry children spilling out of their homes (My
mother at sixty six)
• "shade" refers to projection (Keeping Quiet) trusting
sorrow (A roadside stand)
• bower, sweet dreams, flowery band, pall, endless
fountain of immortal drink (A Thing of Beauty)

10. Simile
Definition: A figure of speech
that directly compares two
things.
• Her face ashen like that of a
corpse. (My mother at sixy six)

11. Imagery
Definition: Imagery is visual symbolism or
figurative language that evokes a mental
image or their kinds or sense impressions.
• Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms. (A
thing of beauty)
• Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon For
simple sheep; and such are daffodils
• With the green world they live in; and clear rills (A
thing of beauty)

12. Personification
DEFINITION: The attribution of human nature
or character to animals, inanimate objects, or
abstract notions.
• Tree sprinting, the merry children spilling (My
Mother at Sixty-Six)
• Earth can teach us as when everything (Keeping
Quiet)
• A roadside stand that too pathetically (A roadside
stand)