LITERARY DEVICES

1. RHYME- the occurrence of the same sounds in words at the end

of matching lines of poetry.
Example:
“When I was one -and-twenty, I heard a wise man say. Give crowns and
pounds and guineas But not your heart away.
2. RHYTHM- in poetry, the pattern formed by accented and unaccented
syllables.
Example:
‘Blame not my cheeks though pale with love they are”.
3. ALLITERATION- the repetition of a consonant sound, usually at the
beginning of two or more words in a line of verse in a sentence.
Example:
Doom is darker and deeper than any sea-dingle.
4. ASSONANCE- a partial rhyme in which the stressed vowel sounds are
alike but consonant sounds are unlike, as in cake and late. In this ballad
both alliteration and assonance are used:
Example:
“I wish I were where Helen lies, Night and day on me she cries, O that I
were where Helen lies On train Kirconnel lea!”
5. IMAGERY- the use of words or group of words to call to mind
something perceived by the senses.
Example:
“Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain….”
6. SYMBOLISM- representation of an invisible element by something
visible; a concrete thing is used to stand for an idea that I difficult to
describe.
Example:
An eagle may symbolize power
Flowers-joy/happiness
Dove-peace
Flag-freedom
3 red roses- “I love you”
7. Consonance- a partial rhyme in which consonants in stressed syllables
are repeated but vowels are not (Ex: laker, locker)
Example:
“Great or good, or kind or fair
I will ne’er the more despair
If she love me, this believe,
I will die, ere she shall grieve.”
8. REPETITION- a basic artistic device, fundamental to any conception of
poetry. It is a highly effective unifying force.
Example:
Bring Thee Great Wealth, Georgianna
By Guillermo Castillo

I bring thee great wealth, Georgianna

I bring these to thee:
I bring thee a bird, Georgianna
A bird I bring thee;
I bring thee a rose, Georgianna
A rose I bring thee;
I bring thee my love, Georgianna
My love, all for thee;
Please give me your love, Georgianna
Please come live with me.
9. CACOPHONY- a harsh discordant mixture of sounds.
Example:
“We want no parly with you and your grishly gang who work your worked
will”.
10. EUPHONY- harmony or beauty or sound which provides a pleasing
effect to the ear, for effect achieved not only by selection of individual
wordsounds but also by their arrangement in the repetition, proximity and
flow of sound patterns.
Example
“O star (the fairest one in sight)”