Elements of Poetry
Poets have many tools they
use to add to the poem’s
sound, meaning, and emotional
effect on the reader.
• Poetry is the art of expressing one’s
thoughts in verse.
• It uses few words to convey its message.
• It is meant to be read aloud.
• Poetry arouses our emotions.
• Poems use imagery or figures of speech to
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explain feelings or to create a mental
picture or idea.
These suggest action or mood.
Many poems have a specific rhyme scheme.
Poems can rhyme or not rhyme.
Simile
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Comparison
between 2 things,
using the words
like or as.
Poets use
comparisons
between things to
make you think
about them in a
new way.
Used to surprise
the reader and to
create strong
images.
“The World” by Noel Berry
The trees are like the hair of the world.
The city is like the heart of the world.
The wind is a flute player
playing in the night.
The cars beeping horns are like buttons
beeping inside the earth.
Each bird is like a single piccolo
singing away
and the grass, just like me,
being buried under the snow.
Metaphor
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Direct comparison
between 2 things.
Does NOT use the
words like or as.
Poet describes a
thing or person as
if it actually were
the other thing or
person.
Creates a clear,
memorable picture
and tries to get
you to see the
original subject in
a new way.
“Dreams” by Langston Hughes
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Personification
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Type of figure of
speech that gives
human qualities to
animals, objects,
or ideas.
Adds life to a poem
and helps the
reader view a
familiar thing in a
new way.
“Snowy Benches”
by Aileen Fisher
Do parks get lonely
in winter, perhaps,
when benches have
only
snow on their laps?
IT’S TIME TO SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW!!!
"Alright, the sky misses the
sun at night.“
This is an example of what?
PERSONIFICATION
"I move fast like a cheetah
on the Serengeti."
This is an example of what?
SIMILIE
"You are an ant, while I'm
the lion."
This is an example of what?
METAPHOR
As cunning as a fox.
This is an example of what?
SIMILIE
The stars danced playfully in
the moonlit sky.
This is an example of what?
PERSONIFICATION
The river swallowed the
earth as the water continued
to rise higher and higher.
This is an example of what?
PERSONIFICATION
As fast as a racecar
This is an example of what?
SIMILIE
His belt was a snake curling
around his waist
This is an example of what?
PERSONIFICATION
Can you master EOG
style Questions?
Identify the Elements of Poetry
1. Use the poetry books and/or poem handouts to
find an example of each element of poetry.
2. Share your examples with your teams/partners.
3. Be prepared to share your examples with the
class. Make sure you can explain why each
example fits an element of poetry.