Literary Terms & Poetic Devices

In "O Captain! My Captain!"  Abraham Lincoln is compared to the captain of a ship.

comparing two different things without using like or as.  Ex. He is a whirlwind.

the time, place, and circumstances in which a story takes place

a pattern of sound created by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables in words

when the last word of two or more lines of verse rhyme with each other.

words or phrases that appeal to the 5 senses and help create mental images

rhyme that occurs within the line of poetry Ex. score, four, and more with Casey at the bat!

the use of dashes, commas, periods, etc to show where to pause when reading, emphasis points

A word formed from the initial letters in a phrase.

a conversation between or among characters

a public address; ex. The Gettysburg Address

the use of capital letters for common nouns and/or entire words the author wishes to emphasis

a reference to a biblical event, person, or place.  

A fanciful tale of legendary deeds and creatures, usually intended for children.

when poetry lacks a rhyme scheme or fixed metrical pattern

words that are close, but not perfect rhymes

reference to a historical event or custom, a work of liturature or art, or a well known person

the repetition of consonant sounds within and at the ends of words

a writer's attitude toward subject, audience, and self; how something sounds when someone speak

include pamphlets, newspapers & book like Uncle Tom's Cabin to increase anti-slavery sentiment.

how a piece of literature makes you feel

is the repetition of vowel sounds in a nearby words.  Its is used to set the mood.

he rhyming pattern of a poem