Poetic Devices Definitions

A series of musically pleasant sounds, conveying a sense of harmony and beauty to the language

Attributing human characteristics to an inanimate object, animal, or abstract idea.

A person, place, or thing that is referred by something closely related to it

The comparison, usually something unfamiliar with something familiar.

Words that sound like their meanings

Repeated vowel sounds in words placed near each other

Definition: Repeated sounds at the beginning of words placed near each other.

A representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning

A discordant series of harsh, unpleasant sounds helps to convey disorder

An outrageous exaggeration used for effect.

A statement in which a seeming contradiction may reveal an unexpected truth.

The purposeful repetition of words and phrases for an effect

Indicating a person, object, etc. by letting only a certain part represent the whole.

A combination of two words that appear to contradict each other.

A direct comparison between two unlike things not using the words "like" or "as"

The dictionary definition of a word.

A brief reference to a person, historical event, or work of art.

Closely arranged things with strikingly different characteristics

The emotional, psychological or social overtones of a word

An ordinary object, event, animal, or person, given extraordinary meaning and significance

A direct comparison of two unlike things using “like” or “as.”

Word play in which words with totally different meanings have similar or identical sounds.

An understatement used to lessen the effect of a statement that might be offensive or hurtful

Repeated consonant sounds at the ending of words placed near each other

A figure of speech that was once clever and original but through overuse has become outdated.

Speaking directly to a real or imagined listener or inanimate object