POETRY NOTES
GRADE 8 TO 12
,Poetry Grade 8 to 12
Contents
Simile:................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Metaphor:.......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Personification:.................................................................................................................................................. 2
Hyperbole:......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Alliteration:........................................................................................................................................................ 2
Onomatopoeia:.................................................................................................................................................. 2
Irony:.................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Metonymy:......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Synecdoche:....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Oxymoron:......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Juxtaposition:..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Enjambment:...................................................................................................................................................... 4
Assonance:......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Imagery:............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Paradox:............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Rhyme:............................................................................................................................................................... 4
Rhythm:............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Sonnet:............................................................................................................................................................... 5
Free verse.......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Summary table............................................................................................................................................... 6
Exercise.............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Page 1 of 9
, Poetry Grade 8 to 12
Simile:
Definition: A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like" or "as."
Effect: Similes help to create vivid and imaginative descriptions, making comparisons more explicit
and relatable.
Example: "Her smile is as bright as the sun."
Metaphor:
Definition: A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly equates two unrelated things without
using "like" or "as."
Effect: Metaphors add depth and layers of meaning by creating implicit comparisons and
encouraging the reader to think abstractly.
Example: "Time is a thief."
Personification:
Definition: Personification is a figure of speech in which human characteristics are attributed
to non-human objects or abstract concepts.
Effect: Personification brings inanimate objects or ideas to life, making them relatable and
engaging.
Example: "The wind whispered secrets through the trees."
Hyperbole:
Definition: Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves extreme exaggeration to emphasize a
point or create a dramatic effect
Effect: Hyperbole adds emphasis and creates a memorable impact, often for comedic or
rhetorical purposes.
Example: "I've told you a million times!"
Alliteration:
Definition: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of closely
connected words.
Effect: Alliteration adds rhythm, musicality, and emphasis to a phrase or sentence.
Example: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."
Onomatopoeia:
Definition: Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech where words imitate the sounds associated with
the objects or actions they describe.
Page 2 of 9
GRADE 8 TO 12
,Poetry Grade 8 to 12
Contents
Simile:................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Metaphor:.......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Personification:.................................................................................................................................................. 2
Hyperbole:......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Alliteration:........................................................................................................................................................ 2
Onomatopoeia:.................................................................................................................................................. 2
Irony:.................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Metonymy:......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Synecdoche:....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Oxymoron:......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Juxtaposition:..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Enjambment:...................................................................................................................................................... 4
Assonance:......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Imagery:............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Paradox:............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Rhyme:............................................................................................................................................................... 4
Rhythm:............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Sonnet:............................................................................................................................................................... 5
Free verse.......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Summary table............................................................................................................................................... 6
Exercise.............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Page 1 of 9
, Poetry Grade 8 to 12
Simile:
Definition: A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like" or "as."
Effect: Similes help to create vivid and imaginative descriptions, making comparisons more explicit
and relatable.
Example: "Her smile is as bright as the sun."
Metaphor:
Definition: A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly equates two unrelated things without
using "like" or "as."
Effect: Metaphors add depth and layers of meaning by creating implicit comparisons and
encouraging the reader to think abstractly.
Example: "Time is a thief."
Personification:
Definition: Personification is a figure of speech in which human characteristics are attributed
to non-human objects or abstract concepts.
Effect: Personification brings inanimate objects or ideas to life, making them relatable and
engaging.
Example: "The wind whispered secrets through the trees."
Hyperbole:
Definition: Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves extreme exaggeration to emphasize a
point or create a dramatic effect
Effect: Hyperbole adds emphasis and creates a memorable impact, often for comedic or
rhetorical purposes.
Example: "I've told you a million times!"
Alliteration:
Definition: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of closely
connected words.
Effect: Alliteration adds rhythm, musicality, and emphasis to a phrase or sentence.
Example: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."
Onomatopoeia:
Definition: Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech where words imitate the sounds associated with
the objects or actions they describe.
Page 2 of 9
