POETRY STUDY
In this exercise, you’ll review the literary terms used when discussing poetry and
other forms of literature.
● Write all definitions in your notebook.
● Complete activity work on a separate sheet of paper.
Completed work will be evaluated using this rubric.
RUBRIC
7-8
All activities (including recording of
definitions) completed accurately and
with high level of creativity.
5-6
Most activities completed accurately
and with creativity.
3-4
Some activities completed accurately
and with some creativity.
1-2
Few activities completed accurately
and/or with limited creativity.
TASK 1- Literal vs. Figurative Meaning
DEFINITIONS
Literal: interpreting language at face value (what it says is what it means)
Figurative: language is representative of more significant ideas
ACTIVITY
Choose three idioms (expression unique to a language). Illustrate literal meaning of each as shown below.
After each illustration, state figurative meaning.
EXAMPLE:
Literal Meaning: I’m on top of the world!
Figurative Meaning: Things are going really well for me right now!
TASK 2- Denotation vs. Connotation
DEFINITIONS
Denotation: the literal meaning of a word
Connotation: the ideas or feelings a word evokes
ACTIVITY:
ACTIVITY: Choose three words with powerful connotations and explain denotation and connotation of each word.
EXAMPLE:
Word: War
Denotation: A prolonged conflict between two countries
Connotation: Evokes ideas of violence, death and sacrifice and feelings of courage, fear and instability.
TASK 3 - Alliteration
DEFINITION: Repetition of sounds at the beginning of words. EXAMPLE: W- wild wind
Choose 3 vowels and 7 consonants. Create an example of alliteration for each letter.
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TASK 4- Onomatopoeia
DEFINITION: Words that make a sound. EXAMPLES: Pow, Boom, Bang.
Choose two of these three situations (or create two of your own situations) and write 10 examples of onomatopoeia (words that make
sounds) that you might hear in these settings.
Situation
Scary Movie
P.E. Class
Shopping at your fave store
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TASK 5- HYPERBOLE
DEFINITION: A ridiculous exaggeration.
EXAMPLE: I am so hungry I could eat this desk.
Form hyperboles by completing three of the following statements (or create your own statements):
I have so much homework......
It was so hot.....
That class was so long..
That was so rude....
I want to go outside so badly...
TASK 6- REPETITION
DEFINITION: Repeating words, phrases or lines to create unity or emphasis. EXAMPLE: Below
TASK: Most songs use repetition in the form of a repeating chorus. Create a table like the one below in your notebook and list 3
examples of repetition in songs. The example I’ve listed has repetition within the lines, but both lines are repeated several times within
the song as well.
SONG
CHORUS (does not have to be exact)
Moment 4 Life by Niki Minaj
I wish that I could have this moment 4 life, 4 life, 4 life.
‘Cause in this moment I just feel so alive, alive, alive.
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TASK 7: IMAGERY
DEFINITION: Words or phrases that appeal to the five senses. (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch). EXAMPLES: Below
For each of the five senses, list 5 more words or phrases designed to appeal to that sense.
Sight:
Sound:
Smell:
Taste:
Touch:
neon shirt
piercing scream
rancid trash
sour milk
heavy blankets
TASK 8: METAPHOR & SIMILE
Metaphor- A comparison of two things that are not alike in most ways, but are alike in some important way.
Simile- Same as a metaphor, but the comparison uses “like” or “as”.
TASK: Create 2 metaphors using the following ideas or feel free to come up with your own.
If ___________________________________ were a car, he/she would be a _______________(insert type of car). They both
____________________________.
_____________________ is a _____________ (profession or animal). They both __________________________________.
Similes- Turn the metaphors into similes by using “like” or “as” to make the comparision.
___________________ is like a ___________________ (car). They both ______________________________.
___________________is like a ____________________(profession or animal). They both ____________________________.
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TASK 9- PERSONIFICATION
DEFINITION: Giving human qualities to animals or inanimate objects.
EXAMPLE: The dish ran away with the spoon.
Give human qualities to the following five objects or choose five objects of your own.
wind
fire
cat
car
cell phone