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Poetic Devices 

Figurative Language - simile, metaphor, paradox, hyperbole, symbolism

Rhyme - alliteration, assonance, consonance

Descriptive - imagery, personification

Style - connotation, repetition, echo

Poetry Exercises

Exercise 1 & 2: Connotative Writing (not literal) - gives clues to show audience the meaning but does not directly tell the audience what is happening or what to think

Ex. Let's look at the sentence "It was raining outside." This is very literal.  You know what is happening as it is directly stated.  Now let's look at how to change this to put more life and style in your writing, and encourage the audience to be more engaged as they must make an interpretation or inference as to what is happening. 

Step 1: You can try to use a different verb  Ex. It was pouring outside. 

Step 2: You can use a metaphor or simile to illustrate your idea  Ex. It was raining cats and dogs.

Step 3: You can give clues about the main idea without actually saying it directly

Examples...
As i stepped out my face became slippery and wet

My hair was drenched

The puddles were starting to form everywhere

Everything was damp, dark and grey

It felt like God was crying onto my cheeks

I much rather wished I was in the Sahara desert instead of this

Sigh, another umbrella day again

Oh my god – the clouds are leaking

Someone must have died because the angels are weeping

The air smelled sad

On my way home I danced between the drops


As you can see, it is not just about replacing and using new adjectives and verbs but about cleverly revealing ideas to the audience.

Your turn: try writing 3 different ways for each of these ideas. First make a chart with a list of clues that relate to these ideas and then

a) He died
b)
She was happy or in love
c) It was a good day


Then add descriptive and connotative writing together



Exercise 3 & 4
Imagery (description), Personification, Simile, Metaphor, Hyperbole, Paradox, Oxymoron

Finish these creatively, using different poetic devices and descriptive writing - must have 5 sentences for each one!!

a) If death had a face ...
b) In the morning when i wake up.....
c) My utopia is ...


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Take this information and write a poetic, creative and descriptive 1/2  page that includes...
at least 2 similes, 1 metaphor, personification, 2 parts of imagery, 2 hyperboles, 1 paradox or oxymoron


**you can change the name - the details and explaining exactly what happened is up to you **
can use a video for reference/inspiration
TRY THIS: http://learni.st/learnings/260189-ruuuun?board_id=27028

Chapelle went
to school
It was one of the weirdest days ever
He/She went through a range of emotions



http://www.teachthemenglish.com/2013/01/the-greatest-creative-writing-activity-ever/
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