Visual & Aural Poetic Devices Imagery—figurative language to represent/illustrate objects, actions and ideas so as to appeal to our physical senses “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” (Romeo) Allusion—brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance “Is there a Goliath in your life? Does he stand squarely between you and your desired happiness? Your Goliath may not carry a sword or hurl a verbal challenge of insult that all may hear and force you to decision. He may not be ten feet tall, but he likely will appear equally as formidable, and his silent challenge may shame and embarrass.” (Pres. Monson) Symbol—an object/action/event/ word representing another to give it an entirely different meaning that is much deeper and more significant. “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.” (Shakespeare) Stage = world Players = us Parts = roles Tone—conveyed attitude (formal, informal, serious, comic, sarcastic, etc.) “I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” (Frost) Sound Cacophony—repetition of harsh consonants (d, f, g, k, p, t) = discordant effect Gulliver’s Travels: “And being no stranger to the art of war, I gave him a description of cannons, muskets, pistols, bullets, powder, swords, bayonets, battles, sieges, retreats, attacks, undermines, countermines, bombardments, seafights . . .” Euphony—repetition of soft consonants (h, l, m, r, s, y) = calm, pleasant effect “Myriads of rivulets hurrying thro’ the lawn, The moan of doves is immemorial elms, And murmuring of innumberable bees.” (Tennyson) Macbeth: “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage / And then is heard no more.” Alliteration—generally, the repetition of similar sounds American Apparel, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Chuckee Cheese’s, CocaCola, Dunkin’ Donuts, Krispy Kreme, PayPal The rain rain rain came down down down In rushing, rising riv’lets, ‘Til the river crept out of it’s bed And crept right into Piglet’s!