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Diction. A complication is the part of a tragic plot that includes everything from the beginning of the play up to the point of the change of fortune. A tragedy must have both complication and resolution, and a complication can even occur outside the events of a play, such as action that occurs before the play starts but has bearing on the plot.
Writing the complication Australian Curriculum Year 6 English Jabberwocky – narrative writing 8. In this lesson, we will use our plan to write the build up of the story in short parts.
This poetry dictionary for kids lists the most common poetic terms that kids might encounter, along with their definitions. If you need a more extensive poetry dictionary, I recommend the Poetry Foundation’s Glossary of Poetic Terms.
- Thematic Devices
- Visual Devices
- Rhythmic Devices
- Verbal Devices
- Emphatic Devices
- Structural Devices
Allegory
An allegory is when a piece of art (like a painting, story or poem) is used to convey hidden meaning. A classic example of allegory is George Orwell’s Animal Farm. In the novella, farm animals start a rebellion against the farmer to create a better society for everyone. However, their new society quickly becomes corrupt and no better than it was before. The story reflects what happened during the rise of the Soviet Union and highlights the issues with communism. 1. Introduction to Allegory Le...
Symbolism
Symbolism is when something or someone is used to represent a greater meaning. For example, birds often represent freedom in literature because they aren’t bound to the earth by gravity - they’re able to fly away into the skies. 1. Introduction to Symbolism Lesson Pack
Motif
A motif is a specific idea or feature that continuously occurs in a piece of art, whether that’s a painting, poem, film or story. To use a classic example, in Romeo and Juliet, there is a motif of light and darkness - with references to the two being made throughout the play. 1. A-Level Exploring Motifs Worksheet
Imagery
Imagery, simply put, is about conjuring up a specific mental image in your reader’s head through your use of language. Imagery can be conveyed through your use of metaphor, simile, description or specific word choice. An example of imagery would be: 'Sunlight shone on the lake, making the water look like molten gold.' 1. Year 3/4 Identifying Imagery Activity
Metaphor
Metaphors and similes often get confused, so let’s try to clear up the difference! A metaphor is when you say that one thing IS another thing. For instance, 'life is a rollercoaster' or 'the stars are diamonds in the sky'. 1. Simile or Metaphor Worksheet
Simile
Now we’ve discussed metaphors, let’s look at similes. A simile is when something is SIMILAR to something else. We might say, for example, 'her smile was like the sun' or 'his face went as white as a sheet'. 1. Similes Matching Game
Repetition
Repetition is when certain words or phrases are repeated to create effect. It can be a powerful tool in persuasive writing, but it’s also frequently used by poets and authors. An example of repetition would be 'on and on and on and on' or 'I was falling, falling, falling'. 1. Repetition in Poetry Poster
Rhyme
We couldn’t talk about poetic devices without mentioning rhymes! Rhyme is when words (or the ending of words) sound similar, and they are used in correspondence. In poetry, rhyming words are usually placed at the end of sentences. A straightforward example of rhyme would be: 'I had a cat / who sat on a mat'. 1. Rhyming Words Presentation
Rhythm
Rhythm is slightly different to rhyme. Rhythm comes more down to the pace, flow and beat of a poem, rather than having words rhyme with one another. Rhythm comes from stressed and unstressed syllables being in a pattern. ‘Twas the night before Christmas / when all through the house / Not a creature was stirring / not even a mouse’ is an example of rhythm. 1. Rhythm and Pulse Powerpoint
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is when a word is created to phonetically resemble a sound. That might seem complicated, but it’s not. In fact, onomatopoeia can be a lot of fun! Examples of onomatopoeiainclude saying woof for a dog’s bark, ssss for a snake’s hiss and boom for an explosion. 1. Onomatopoeia Display Poster
Alliteration
Alliteration is when words that start with the same letter (or similar sounds) are placed together, such as ‘we wept woefully’. Writers might use alliterationto give their poetry more rhythm or create a specific sound. 1. KS2 Alliteration Powerpoint
Consonance
In poetry, consonance is using similar sounding consonants in succession. This can help to improve the rhythm of your poem, so sentences flow along nicely. ‘Toss the glass across the grass’ is a good example of consonance using the ‘ss’ letter pattern. 1. Consonance Display Poster
Oxymoron
Oxymoron is a popular literary device amongst poets. Essentially, an oxymoron is when two contradictory terms are paired together, such as ‘awfully good’ and ‘deafening silence’. Oxymorons are usually used for emphasis - to draw your attention to something or make a more dramatic statement. 1. Oxymoron Activity Sheet
Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition is placing two contrasting ideas side by side, usually to highlight their differences. This, once again, can be used to add emphasis or to create a more vivid image in the reader’s mind. Some juxtaposition examples include war and peace, beauty and ugliness, and light and day. 1. Finish the Juxtaposition Worksheet
Enjambment
Enjambment is a poetic device that involves a sentence continuing from one line onto the next line, removing the pause. Writers will use enjambment to change the pace of their poem and create a sense of urgency, as the reader is pulled from one line to the next. For example, ‘does anybody know / where we will go?’ 1. Let’s Talk About Poetry Word Mat
Caesura
Caesura is a break in the middle of a line or sentence. It’s usually marked by a comma (,) dash (-) or two slashed lines (//). A writer might use caesura to add a breath between phrases or to create a dramatic pause. Shakespeare used caesura in his famous line from Romeo and Juliet: ‘In fair Verona, where we lay our scene.’ 1. Poetry Terms Display Pack
Iambic Pentameter
Iambic pentameter can be a little tricky for children to get their heads around at first. Basically, iambic pentameter is when one line has 10 syllables and these syllables alternate between stressed and unstressed. A stressed syllable has more emphasis when spoken aloud, whilst an unstressed syllable sounds softer. The line ‘I have done nothing but in care of thee’ from The Tempest is an example of iambic pentameter. 1. Iambic Pentameter Worksheet
Poetry is a type of literature, or artistic writing, that attempts to stir a reader’s imagination or emotions. The poet does this by carefully choosing and arranging language for its meaning, sound, and rhythm. Some poems, such as nursery rhymes, are simple and humorous.
While most poetry is concerned with evoking emotions and feelings, the ballad is a vehicle for story-telling, and has been with us since medieval times. The words are set to music to become a song, and follow a simple rhyming pattern and a set meter (or rhythm).
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This lesson plan uses several poems from Poetry4kids.com to show how to identify the rhyme scheme of a poem. Students will analyze the poems to determine the rhyme schemes of each. Click here for a printable copy of this lesson plan for use in the classroom.
