Poetic Technique 2

The use of imagery, figurative language, shape and tone to paint a picture in poetry.

METAPHORS

Describing one subject as something else.
Example:
The dress is a prison, trapping me behind it's stone walls.

SIMILES

Describing your subject like or as something else.
Example:
Her eyes were like glowing emeralds.

PERSONIFICATION

Giving personality to something not human.
Example:
The trees wrapped their protective arms around the little cabin.

IMAGERY

Using words to create a mental picture.
Example:
The sun set in a glorious haze of orange and red, setting the water alight with fire.

ALLITERATION

Using a repeated constant sound.
Example:
Soft, silky skin, sensuous beneath his hands.

ASSONANCE

Repeating a significant vowel or vowel sound.
Example:
She buried the key under the tree.

REPETITION

Repeating a significant word or words.
Example:
I lay in fear of his anger
His anger
Ever present
Ever harsh

ONOMATOPOEIA

Using words that sound like the noise your describing.
Example:
The tin clattered
The shutters rattled

ENJAMBMENT

Not using punctuation at the end of a line but allowing it to flow into the next line.

RHYTHM AND METER

The rhythm is the "beat" or sense of movement you create.
Meter is when you have a regular rhythm throughout your poem.

TONE AND LYRIC

Your intention in a poem is expressed through tone. How you feel about your subject, happy, sad, angry, admiring, confused or whatever.
Writing a poem from a personal view or experience is considered a lyrical poem.

RECIPE-STYLE POEMS

Take a recipe for something, a cake, a pie, bread, ect. and then pick a theme. Or just make up your own recipe. Say you want a recipe for a husband.
Below you will find an example of a recipe-style poem.

HUSBAND

Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups patience
3 cups love
2 1/2 cups passion
2 cups forgiving
1 1/2 cups fun
1 well worn pair of jeans
1 old baseball cap
1 old college tee shirt
1 cup ambition
3 cups intelligence
2 1/2 cups willingness to help
3 odd socks off the floor
1 big soft easy chair
1 large TV
Several hours of ballgames
Mix all ingredients well and pour into a home. Add a pinch of stubborn and a dash of mad. Sprinkle liberally with humor and serve with warm embraces.

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