Effects of Poetic Devices

ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOL (INDEPENDENT) English Language and Literature Department Poetic Devices and their Likely Effects Alliteration Gains reader’s attention through repetition of a consonant sound, appeals to the sense of hearing, emphasizes words, links lines, unifies stanzas (or the poem as a whole), and enhances flow of poem. Draws attention to particular words or lines through repetition of a vowel sound, appeals to the sense of hearing, enhances the development of the image created by the words. Links and unifies lines (and the poem as a whole), emphasizes words, adds fluency to the poem. Appeals to the audience’s sense of hearing, enhances imagery of poem, and develops an image (positive or negative) by creating a sound word. Creates a set of rhythm for the poem, enhances flow of poem and its appeal to audiences, e.g. iambic pentameter creates a steady rhythm which has been noted as being similar to natural speech. Emphasizes two lines, enables the poet to develop a theme or mood more clearly, can serve like the punch line to a riddle or the answer to a problem. Moves the narrative or description swiftly and sometimes casually into the next line. Depending on context, it could lead to a building up of a certain emotion like anger or a sense of urgency, and this could imbue the lines with a feeling of discomfort or anxiety. Conversely, the lack of punctuation markers could also convey a tripping, breathless, or rambling effect as like a person ruminating. Caesura Controls the rhythm and pace of a line. Creates a break or pause in the thought process, gives a sense of an interruption. With many caesurae within a line, it can create a staccato effect and also quickens the pace. A jerky effect could also suggest a sense of confusion or muddled ideas. Appeals to the 5 human senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste), creates a vivid word picture in the mind of the reader, evokes emotions, encourages audience response, develops themes. Makes a strong comparison by