POETIC DEVICES

You can become a poetry scientist by experimenting with different types of

words and phrases, known as poetic devices:

● Assonance is repeated vowel sounds (AEIOU) throughout the

line/sentence.

For example, the rain in Spain fell on the plain.

● Alliteration is repeating the sounds at the start of words.

For example, rare red rabbits revel with rage.

● Onomatopoeia is words that sound like what they describe.

For example, crunch, smack or drip.

● Rhymes are words that end in a similar sound.

For example, the dog, sat on a log.

● Repetition is repeating words for effect.

For example, steady, steady, steady the snow fell.

● Similes describe something by comparing it to something else, using

like or as.

For example, he ran as fast as a cheetah.

● Metaphors are words or phrases used to describe something as if it

were something else.

For example, she has a lion’s heart.

● Personification is describing objects as if they are people and is a

way of making sentences more exciting.

For example, the stars danced in the night sky.

● Hyperbole is exaggerating to emphasise a point.

For example, the show was out of this world.

 POETIC DEVICES
Choose the correct type of poetic device for these examples. Use the
information above to help you.

Example Poetic Device

Drip drop. The water fell.
His performance was out
of this world.
She has a lion’s heart.
The ball danced into the
goal.
Sizzling succulent
sausages.
The unicorn flew like a jet.
The sheep went to sleep in
the heat.

Now, read this poem and look at the purple words: identify the poetic
devices used. The first one is done for you.
Poetic device
A cave of delectable delights
Food! Glorious Food!
The bell screams in our ears personification
It. Is. Time.

We sprint like cheetahs

In the queue, as quiet as mice
So we don’t get sent to the back

Wise Ms Earl screams

“IS THAT YOU TALKING, LEES?”
The trees stop dancing in the wind
Even they’re afraid of Wise Ms
 POETIC DEVICES
Earl…

I am a ravenous lion by now

Ready to devour all before me
I reach the portal
The entrance to culinary heaven

I collect my dinner
It’s hotter than the sun
Lumpy, layered lasagne

I walk towards the lonely bench

My mouth salivating in anticipation
When…

CRASH
Not again!
I’ve dropped it on the floor!

Now answer these questions about the poem:

1. What was the cave of delectable delights?

2. Why are the full stops used in the fourth line?

3. Why were they as quiet as mice?

4. Why are capital letters used when Ms Earl speaks?

5. What do you think the portal is?

6. How do we know the poet is feeling very hungry?

7. What is the effect of the ellipsis?