2. Parts of a Poem
Alliteration Onomatopoeia Repetition
Rhyme Allegory Metaphor
Rhythm Hyperbole Simile
Paradox Oxymoron Allusion
Resources
About the Author
CHECK FOR UNDERSTAND
Fun Video for Some Review
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3. Alliteration
The beginning letters of a set of words
are the same
Example:
“Loosen the light
Let it dance across the sky”
-4th
grader
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4. Rhyme
When two words have similar sounds in
their last syllables
Example:
“Faster than fairies, faster than witches,
Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches.”
-R.L. Stevenson
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5. v
Rhythm
The “beat” or alteration of stressed and
unstressed syllables
Example:
“I see my boat
Is still afloat”
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6. Paradox
A statement which apparently
contradicts itself
Example:
“Thence
Shall life succeed in that it seems to fail”
-Robert Browning
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7. Onomatopoeia
The sound of the word is like the sound
of the thing it is describing
Example:
“Pop, pop, pop!
Says the popcorn in the pan”
-Louise Abney
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8. Allegory
Story where persons and events are meant to
represent something other than themselves
alone
Example: TIME
“Who’s creeping around the clock so rapidly?
Where are you going? Who are you? Round
and round again. Every move you make
screaming and scolding, ‘Rush! Rush! Hurry!’
STOP!”
-Jennifer, age 13
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9. Hyperbole
An exaggeration
Example:
“Suddenly night leaves
And light takes its place
Shining like a ball of fire
Like a parade
Cymbals! Horns! Drums!
You know the morning has arrived.”
-Kim, age 11
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10. Oxymoron
Two apparently opposite ideas are put
together (a squashed paradox)
Example:
“Freezing fire, burning ice”
-John Milton
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11. Repetition
Repeating words or whole groups of words
Example:
“Loosen the knot of birds.
Don’t ruffle the leaves.
Don’t rattle the trees.
Don’t blow over the bike.
Fold the rainbow neatly.”
-Billy, age 9
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12. Metaphor
Direct comparison without using the
words “like” or “as”
Example:
“Broken glass in the alley,
Broken glass in the street.
I am the city wind.
I whip through slums
On a rainy day.”
-Tim, age 10
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13. Simile
Comparison using the words “like” or “as”
Example:
“Brave man
On a high wire
Above the spellbound crowd.
Like a spider on its silk web,
He glides.”
-Joseph, age 13
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14. Allusion
Reference to commonly known stories or
characters
Example:
“He was a very Hercules, and I a famous
coward”
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15. Check for Understanding
Question One:
Which term does this poem represent?
Wonder what happened
To Flash Gordon and Tarzan-
And sunny Sundays.
A. Rhyme or B. Allusion
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17. Good Job!
Question Two:
Which term does this poem represent?
Spring is here
And summer is near.
Winter is far,
And we’ll sing about a star.
A. Rhyme or B. Metaphor
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23. Good Job!
Question Five:
Which term does this poem represent?
Crash violently
Cars burn. Rubber! Smash! BAM
Car explodes violently-AHH!
But wait…
-Bert, age 11
A. Allegory or B. Onomatopoeia
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26. Resources
A Celebration of Bees: Helping Children Write
Poetry by Barbara Juster Esbensen
Poems Please! Sharing Poetry with Children by
David Booth and Bill Moore
http://www.cccoe.net/social/images/g0501342.GIF
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27. About the Author
Nicole Kerber is currently a
sophomore at Grand Valley
State University. She is
studying English and
Elementary Education. She is
from Hopkins, Michigan. Her
hobbies and interests include
reading, movies, culture,
travel, and spending time with
loved ones.
I would love to hear from you! Send me an email!
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