With everything in this world that has a body there is always the framework that makes it up. Poetry is no different and one of the things that make up poetry we term “poetic devices”. Poetic devices are similar to what short stories would call “literary devices” and in some ways have the same functions. With literary devices there is more room for them to develop in the longer storyline of a short story, whereas poetic devices may go unnoticed by a reader due to their subtlety. The strange thing is we use most in speech and writing naturally but sometimes it takes seeing them to comprehend their true impact. The following is a short list of those devices and the context in which I understand their definitions. There are many resources available with detailed lists but the idea isn’t to overwhelm with information but to give enough examples so that the concept of poetic devices is understood.
Simile – the comparison of two UNLIKE things using “like” or “as”
eg. clear AS day, the ice is smooth AS glass, party LIKE a Rock star
note: This is the simplest comparison to use and we use it on a daily basis in our conversations. The in depth qualities of a simile are overlooked due to its commonality and is considered to be a thing of redundancy. However, bypassing social stigma this is your most reliable and trustworthy tool so develop it so that it’s incomparable to its more colloquial usage.
Metaphor – the comparison of two UNLIKE things
eg. her beauty was that of an Empress (her beauty, Empress), her anger could melt an iceberg (anger, melt an iceberg)
note: A metaphor works in the same way as a simile but it’s more subtle and sometimes imperceptible. If you’re uncomfortable using a simile and you want to add more depth to your writing consider metaphors as an alternative. Don’t overuse them as too many abstract references will not be conducive to the average reader’s comprehension of your writing. Yet, be as familiar with metaphors as you are with similes as many comparisons are metaphors under more defined names.
Allegory – an abstract reference; usually spiritual or historical
eg.
She called me John Smith
She was my Pocahontas
She loved me not judging me
By the cons I came with
note: I use allegories as a comparison; mostly as a metaphor. With the references that allegories produce it allows you to tell a more dynamic and full story to a reader without having to digress too much on a particular topic. Although repetition is a good tool, dwelling on a point for the sake of explanation is never something a reader will feel amicable towards. I would suggest using it as you would use anecdotes in a short story.
Repetition – the use of a word, sound, phrase or term recurrently with emphasis
eg. using the term “John said” in multiple places
note: Repetition is a good way to tie your poem together and give it a linear feel. It’s one way to give commonality to the ideas in your piece. It can also be used for emphasis or to shed light on a particular topic or sentiment.
Assonance – the repetition of the initial vowel sound
eg. certain ELements ELevate ELisa’s dress to her knees
note: This is one of the ways you can help to set a tone or mood in a poem as the proper use of assonance and alliteration will generate an emotional response in a reader.
Alliteration – the repetition of the initial consonant sound
eg. To take Two Too many takes Tomorrow away from Too many
note: In the example the sound isn’t only reliant on the T but the letters that follow it. Observe the sound (too) makes compared to (takes).
Hyperbole – an exaggeration [it’s usually an exaggerated comparison]
eg. Your fist was harder than a ton of bricks, her voice could cut glass
note: you can use hyperbole to emphasise or reaffirm a point as once it’s implemented it’s difficult to be arbitrary with the meaning.
Onomatopoeia – an adjective that describes the word it sounds like
eg. buzzing, bubbling ,
note: These are usually fun words and can be used to help a reader understand the tone or mood of a poem.
Personification – the bestowing of human (life like) attributes on inanimate objects
eg. the river was running, the breeze is whispering, the sun smiles, singing trees
note: These are also comparisons but comparisons that are a bit more defined and easier to understand by the average reader – an abstract visual that’s rooted in common language and understanding.
Paradox – two consecutive statements in a poem that contradict each other but together carry a unique meaning
eg.
eat from the tree of life
and you will surely die
one side said this was the truth
and the other was a lie
note: Logically the statements will not make sense. I suggest that if you would like the reader to think more about a certain aspect of your poem to use a paradox as the act of figuring out the contradiction should reveal the deeper meaning in a limited amount of lines. Check this page out for some examples of paradox in everyday life.
Oxymoron – two consecutive words in a poem that contradict each other but together carry a unique meaning
eg. dark light, black day,
note: For some the strange combination of words have worked their way into everyday language so they aren’t as noticeable as a paradox. At the time they do get noticed the word arrangement will draw a reader’s eye to the page so when using an oxymoron use it with significance and not because you lack any other words.
Rhyme – words that share the same sound in the final syllable
eg. AT/bAT, wEIGH/wAY, lACK/contACT (based on pronunciation)
note: A rhyme is based on sound not on spelling as words can be spelt with the same word combinations but sound nothing alike and words can sound alike regardless of spelling (words can also be made to sound alike based on dialect or artistic liberty).
Rhythm – the arrangement of words into a more or less regular sequence of stressed and unstressed or long and short syllables – (dictionary.com)
eg.
I
Walk to the store
I
Talked some more
===============
He told me this riddle
In the middle
Of a story
Was gory
In the middle
Eh tell me this riddle
note: Usually with a poem you would take into consideration the amount of syllables in a line/rhyme scheme to define the rhythm. If the lines/rhyme scheme isn’t consistent or apparent I would suggest drawing attention to the amount of syllables in familiar phrases.
Diction – the word choice a particular author uses to convey the story or “voices” in a poem
eg. formal, informal, colloquial, region based, country based, gender based, age based
note: You can use the diction to understand the tone or mood of a poem and to influence the sounds in a rhyme.
Tone – the tone is based on the context the poem is presented in
eg. serious, friendly, sarcastic, rhetorical,
note: The diction and mood of the poem will help you to define the tone. The tone and mood are interchangeable depending on which one is clearer.
Mood – the mood is based on the emotions defined in the poem and the emotions evoked by the poem
eg. lighthearted, happy, sad, dark, dangerous, sensual,
note: You can use the mood to figure out the context the author is trying to express. The tone and mood are interchangeable depending on which one is clearer.