Editing How to Annotate a Poem (section)

== Common Poetic Devices (with Examples) ==
Poems use many literary devices to add depth and beauty. Here are some '''common poetic devices''' to look for while annotating, with brief explanations and examples:

* '''Metaphor:''' A direct comparison between two unlike things, stating one ''is'' the other to suggest a likeness. Metaphors do '''not''' use “like” or “as.” ''Example:'' “Time is a thief” suggests time steals moments from our lives. When you spot a metaphor, note the two things being compared and what idea is conveyed by the comparison (in this example, the idea that time stealthily takes away our life experiences).
* '''Simile:''' A comparison between two different things using the words '''“like” or “as.”''' (How to Annotate a Poem - Great Tips and Examples) This device explicitly signals the comparison. ''Example:'' “Her smile was '''like''' sunshine” – the smile is compared to sunshine to indicate warmth and joy. If you find a simile, circle “like” or “as” and note the comparison (“smile = sunshine, implies she makes others happy”). Similes and metaphors both create strong imagery and associations.
* '''Personification:''' Giving '''human traits or actions to non-human things'''. This could be objects, animals, or abstract ideas acting in human ways. ''Example:'' “The wind whispered through the trees.” Wind cannot literally whisper, but this personification creates an image of a gentle, hushed sound. Mark instances of personification and consider why the poet humanizes that element (it might be to create empathy, atmosphere, or symbolism).
* '''Symbolism:''' When an object, character, or action '''stands for a deeper meaning''' beyond its literal sense. ''Example:'' A '''dove''' in a poem might symbolize peace, or '''winter''' might symbolize death or stagnation. If a certain image or object recurs or seems emphasized, annotate it as a potential symbol (“dove = peace?”) and see if the poem supports that interpretation through context.
* '''Hyperbole:''' An '''exaggeration''' for effect. Poets might use hyperbole to emphasize a feeling or idea. ''Example:'' “I’ve told you a million times.” If a line feels exaggerated, mark it and note the effect (perhaps humor, emphasis, or passion).
* '''Alliteration:''' The repetition of the '''same starting consonant sound''' in nearby words. ''Example:'' “'''S'''ilent and '''s'''till, the '''s'''tars '''s'''hine.” Alliteration can create rhythm or mood (soft sounds vs. harsh sounds). Circle the repeated letters or underline them (How to Annotate a Poem - Great Tips and Examples) and note how it contributes to the poem’s feeling (does it make it feel more rhythmic, more aggressive, more soothing?).
* '''Assonance:''' The repetition of '''vowel sounds''' in nearby words (not necessarily at the start). ''Example:'' “The n'''i'''ght t'''i'''me s'''i'''de of l'''i'''fe” (repetition of the long “i” sound). Assonance can affect mood and flow – note any prominent vowel sound echoes and their effect (a long “o” sound might create a hollow or mournful tone, for instance).
* '''Consonance:''' The repetition of '''consonant sounds''' in the middle or end of words. ''Example:'' “The bi'''g''' fro'''g''' sat on a lo'''g'''.” Here the “g” sound repeats. Like alliteration and assonance, consonance adds to the musical quality of the poem or can emphasize certain words. Mark such patterns when you hear them.
* '''Onomatopoeia:''' Words that '''imitate natural sounds'''. ''Example:'' “buzz,” “clang,” “whisper,” “thud.” These words carry meaning through their sound. If a poem says “the bees buzzed,” underline “buzzed” and note onomatopoeia – it makes the description more vivid and auditory. Poets use onomatopoeia to pull the reader into the sensory experience.
* '''Enjambment:''' A poetic device where a sentence or clause '''continues past the end of a line or stanza without a pause''' (How to Annotate a Poem - Great Tips and Examples). (The opposite is an '''end-stopped line''', where the line ends with punctuation and the thought pauses.) ''Example of enjambment:'' “The sky was full of endless dreams / drifting beyond the horizon.” The meaning of the first line isn’t complete until you read the second. Enjambment can speed up the reading pace and create suspense or surprise by delaying the completion of a thought. If you see enjambment, you might draw an arrow from the end of one line to the next and note the effect (“enjambment – idea spills over, suggests overflowing emotion” or “no pause, quick flow”).
* '''Caesura:''' A '''strong pause within a line''' of poetry, often indicated by punctuation (like a comma, period, dash, or semicolon) in the middle of a line. ''Example:'' “To err is human; || to forgive, divine.” (The || marks a caesura.) When annotating, if you see punctuation in the middle of a line causing a notable pause, mark it (maybe with || or just circle the punctuation) and consider its effect (“caesura – creates a dramatic pause, perhaps to emphasize the second half of the line”).
* '''Rhyme Scheme:''' As noted earlier, rhyme scheme is the '''pattern of end rhymes''' in a poem. Annotate this by lettering matching rhymes (A, B, C...). ''Example:'' In a stanza: ''“tree (A) / sky (B) / free (A) / high (B)”'' – the rhyme scheme is ABAB. Recognizing the rhyme scheme helps you see the structure. Also look for '''internal rhyme''' (rhyming words within a single line) and note it if present. Consider how the rhyme scheme influences the poem’s sound – does it create a sing-song quality? Does it set up expectations that are then broken?
* '''Meter:''' The '''rhythmic pattern''' of stressed and unstressed syllables in lines. Common meters include iambic (unstressed-stressed pattern) and trochaic (stressed-unstressed). If the poem is in a formal meter (like iambic pentameter – five iambs per line), you can annotate by marking stresses (<code>/</code>) and absences (<code>×</code>) above the words in one line. ''Example:'' “× / × / × / × / × /” above “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” Noting the meter can help you see emphasis and variation. If a line breaks the meter, mark where – that often signals emphasis on that word or a shift in feeling.

These are just some common devices – poems may also use others (like '''irony''', '''juxtaposition''', '''anaphora''' (repeating phrases at line starts), etc.). The key is: '''whenever you identify a device, annotate what it’s doing for the poem.''' Simply labeling “metaphor” or “alliteration” is not enough; note the effect or purpose (“alliteration of ‘s’ sound – creates hushed, soft mood”). This makes your annotations insightful and not just an exercise in identification (How should I annotate a poem? | MyTutor).