English 9
Mr. Salter
Poetry Unit
Assignment 8: Onomatopoeia
Name: ______________________
Mark:
/10
Onomatopoeia (o-no-mah-toe-pee-ah) is the imitation of natural sounds in word form.
These words help us form mental pictures about the things, people, or places that are
described. Sometimes the word names a thing or action by copying the sound. For
example: Bong! Hiss! Buzz!
The rusty spigot
sputters,
utters
a splutter,
spatters a smattering of drops,
gashes wider;
slash,
splatters,
scatters,
spurts,
finally stops sputtering
and plash!
gushes rushes splashes
clear water dashes.
by Eve Merriam
Definition:
Onomatopoeia: The formation or use of words such as buzz or murmur that
imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions to which they refer.
Assignment: Directions: Illustrate something in nature that makes a sound and splash the
sound across your picture. Then, create a short poem that captures the essence of the
image and sound.