english
FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE [F.A.L]
GRADE 12 :
POETRY
Grade 12 English First Additional Language Poetry {DBE 2026) I © 2026 Noted™ www.notedsummaries.co.za
, Before we start!
TECHNIQUES AND POETRY
ASPECTS Literature
IMAGERY
Metaphor
definition:
Simile
= Direct comparison - without using “like” or “as”. definition:
= comparison using “like” or “as” to show that one thing is similar
to another.
EXAMPLE MEANING
Life is a journey. You go through different stages, change and learn → like
travelling along a road. SIMILE MEANING
Time is money. Time is valuable → do not waste it. As cold as ice Extremely cold.
As slow as a tortoise Very slow.
Her heart is stone. She is cold, unemotional or shows no sympathy. As sharp as a blade Extremely sharp → literally or figuratively
The world is a stage. We all play different roles in life → like actors in a play.
The pen is mightier than Words, ideas and writing can have more influence than
As silent as the grave Completely silent → no sound at all.
the sword. violence or force. As blind as a bat Unable to see well / completely unaware of something.
The city is a jungle. It is wild, chaotic, dangerous or highly competitive. As light as a feather Very light.
He is a snake in the grass. He is sneaky or untrustworthy → you cannot trust him. As quick as lightning Extremely fast.
As brave as a lion Very brave or courageous.
Her mind is a computer. She is extremely intelligent or processes/recalls information As sick as a dog Extremely ill.
quickly.
Her words were poison. What she said was cruel, harmful or hurtful. As old as the hills Extremely old.
The school is a prison. The speaker feels trapped, restricted or under pressure at
As hard as a rock Very hard → physically or emotionally unyielding.
school. As red as a tomato Very red → often because of embarrassment, heat etc. 1
Grade 12 English First Additional Language Poetry {DBE 2026) I © 2026 Noted™ www.notedsummaries.co.za
, IMAGERY
Personification
definition: definition:
SymbolISM
= Giving human qualities or actions to non-human things [an object, animal or = A concrete object, person, place, colour or image that
element of nature does something that only a person would normally do] represents an abstract idea or meaning
✎ “The wind whispers.” → The wind cannot literally whisper. evil / fear / death imprisonment
✎ “The sun smiles.” → The sun is given a human action.
peace lack of freedom
love
Synesthesia
The wind howls through the Creates a gloomy, eerie or sorrowful mood → as if the wind is
trees. crying.
The sun smiles on the earth. Creates a warm, happy feeling → suggests friendliness and comfort.
The car groans over the Makes the car seem tired, old or strained → humour or sympathy.
bumpy road. definition:
Time runs away from me. Creates a sense of pressure or urgency → time seems to move faster
than the speaker wants. = A literary technique in which one sense is described in terms of
The night swallows the sun. Emphasises how quickly darkness takes over → creates a dramatic another sense.
effect. Example: “a loud colour” → hearing + sight.
The computer refuses to Gives technology a human-like attitude → can suggest frustration
switch on. or humour.
👃 SMELL 👁 SIGHT 👂 HEARING 👄 TASTE ✋ TOUCH
The flowers dance in the Creates a lively, joyful image → makes nature seem full of life.
wind. a sharp a warm a dark voice a sweet a soft sound
smell colour melody
2
Grade 12 English First Additional Language Poetry {DBE 2026) I © 2026 Noted™ www.notedsummaries.co.za
, IMAGERY
SYNECDOCHE METONYMY
definition: definition:
= A figure of speech in which a part represents the whole, or the whole = something is referred to by the name of something closely associated
represents a part. with it [instead of naming the actual thing, we use a related object,
e.g. : “All hands on deck.” place, symbol or name to refer to it indirectly]
“Hands” refers to people / sailors, not only their hands.
BUT! Synecdoche is NOT metonymy. PHRASE WHAT IT REALLY MEANS ASSOCIATION
SYNECDOCHE METONYMY “I’m reading Shakespeare.” I’m reading Shakespeare’s works. Writer → works
Part ↔ whole relationship Related idea / association “The Crown has The monarch / royal authority Object → monarchy
A physical part stands for the One thing is named by something closely decided…” has decided.
whole, or vice versa. associated with it. “Hollywood loves sequels.” The film industry loves sequels. Place → industry
“All hands on deck.” “The Crown decided…” “The press surrounded him.” Journalists surrounded him. Institution → people
Hands = sailors / people Crown = king / monarchy / government “The bench ruled against The judge / court ruled against Object / place →
him.” him. authority
TYPE
Part for whole
Whole for part
Material for object
EXAMPLE
“All hands on deck!”
EXPLANATION
Hands = sailors / people
“South Africa defeated France.”
South Africa = the South African
team
“She wore diamonds around her Diamonds = jewellery made from
ANTONOMAS
definition:
neck.” diamonds = proper name is used as a description or symbol of a particular
Container for contents “He drank the whole glass.” Glass = the drink inside the glass
Singular for plural / vice “Man is prone to error.” Man = human beings in general
characteristic.
versa e.g. : “He is an Einstein.” = very intelligent 3
Grade 12 English First Additional Language Poetry {DBE 2026) I © 2026 Noted™ www.notedsummaries.co.za
FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE [F.A.L]
GRADE 12 :
POETRY
Grade 12 English First Additional Language Poetry {DBE 2026) I © 2026 Noted™ www.notedsummaries.co.za
, Before we start!
TECHNIQUES AND POETRY
ASPECTS Literature
IMAGERY
Metaphor
definition:
Simile
= Direct comparison - without using “like” or “as”. definition:
= comparison using “like” or “as” to show that one thing is similar
to another.
EXAMPLE MEANING
Life is a journey. You go through different stages, change and learn → like
travelling along a road. SIMILE MEANING
Time is money. Time is valuable → do not waste it. As cold as ice Extremely cold.
As slow as a tortoise Very slow.
Her heart is stone. She is cold, unemotional or shows no sympathy. As sharp as a blade Extremely sharp → literally or figuratively
The world is a stage. We all play different roles in life → like actors in a play.
The pen is mightier than Words, ideas and writing can have more influence than
As silent as the grave Completely silent → no sound at all.
the sword. violence or force. As blind as a bat Unable to see well / completely unaware of something.
The city is a jungle. It is wild, chaotic, dangerous or highly competitive. As light as a feather Very light.
He is a snake in the grass. He is sneaky or untrustworthy → you cannot trust him. As quick as lightning Extremely fast.
As brave as a lion Very brave or courageous.
Her mind is a computer. She is extremely intelligent or processes/recalls information As sick as a dog Extremely ill.
quickly.
Her words were poison. What she said was cruel, harmful or hurtful. As old as the hills Extremely old.
The school is a prison. The speaker feels trapped, restricted or under pressure at
As hard as a rock Very hard → physically or emotionally unyielding.
school. As red as a tomato Very red → often because of embarrassment, heat etc. 1
Grade 12 English First Additional Language Poetry {DBE 2026) I © 2026 Noted™ www.notedsummaries.co.za
, IMAGERY
Personification
definition: definition:
SymbolISM
= Giving human qualities or actions to non-human things [an object, animal or = A concrete object, person, place, colour or image that
element of nature does something that only a person would normally do] represents an abstract idea or meaning
✎ “The wind whispers.” → The wind cannot literally whisper. evil / fear / death imprisonment
✎ “The sun smiles.” → The sun is given a human action.
peace lack of freedom
love
Synesthesia
The wind howls through the Creates a gloomy, eerie or sorrowful mood → as if the wind is
trees. crying.
The sun smiles on the earth. Creates a warm, happy feeling → suggests friendliness and comfort.
The car groans over the Makes the car seem tired, old or strained → humour or sympathy.
bumpy road. definition:
Time runs away from me. Creates a sense of pressure or urgency → time seems to move faster
than the speaker wants. = A literary technique in which one sense is described in terms of
The night swallows the sun. Emphasises how quickly darkness takes over → creates a dramatic another sense.
effect. Example: “a loud colour” → hearing + sight.
The computer refuses to Gives technology a human-like attitude → can suggest frustration
switch on. or humour.
👃 SMELL 👁 SIGHT 👂 HEARING 👄 TASTE ✋ TOUCH
The flowers dance in the Creates a lively, joyful image → makes nature seem full of life.
wind. a sharp a warm a dark voice a sweet a soft sound
smell colour melody
2
Grade 12 English First Additional Language Poetry {DBE 2026) I © 2026 Noted™ www.notedsummaries.co.za
, IMAGERY
SYNECDOCHE METONYMY
definition: definition:
= A figure of speech in which a part represents the whole, or the whole = something is referred to by the name of something closely associated
represents a part. with it [instead of naming the actual thing, we use a related object,
e.g. : “All hands on deck.” place, symbol or name to refer to it indirectly]
“Hands” refers to people / sailors, not only their hands.
BUT! Synecdoche is NOT metonymy. PHRASE WHAT IT REALLY MEANS ASSOCIATION
SYNECDOCHE METONYMY “I’m reading Shakespeare.” I’m reading Shakespeare’s works. Writer → works
Part ↔ whole relationship Related idea / association “The Crown has The monarch / royal authority Object → monarchy
A physical part stands for the One thing is named by something closely decided…” has decided.
whole, or vice versa. associated with it. “Hollywood loves sequels.” The film industry loves sequels. Place → industry
“All hands on deck.” “The Crown decided…” “The press surrounded him.” Journalists surrounded him. Institution → people
Hands = sailors / people Crown = king / monarchy / government “The bench ruled against The judge / court ruled against Object / place →
him.” him. authority
TYPE
Part for whole
Whole for part
Material for object
EXAMPLE
“All hands on deck!”
EXPLANATION
Hands = sailors / people
“South Africa defeated France.”
South Africa = the South African
team
“She wore diamonds around her Diamonds = jewellery made from
ANTONOMAS
definition:
neck.” diamonds = proper name is used as a description or symbol of a particular
Container for contents “He drank the whole glass.” Glass = the drink inside the glass
Singular for plural / vice “Man is prone to error.” Man = human beings in general
characteristic.
versa e.g. : “He is an Einstein.” = very intelligent 3
Grade 12 English First Additional Language Poetry {DBE 2026) I © 2026 Noted™ www.notedsummaries.co.za
