22nd May 2020

JSS 2 : LITERATURE : WEEK 1

WEEK/TERM: THIRD TERM/WEEK 1

DATE: 27th May, 2020

CLASS: J.S.S 2

SUBJECT: LITERATURE

TOPIC: ELEVATED LANGUAGE FOR WRITING POEMS

REFERENCE:

BRIEF EXPLANATION: Most poets and writers use figurative language to describe persons or their feelings dramatically. Figurative language uses words or expression with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation. When a writer uses literal language, he or she is simply stating the facts as they are; figurative language in comparison uses exaggerations or alteration to make a point.

Poetic language is the language most often used in poetry. This is because poetry is much more compressed than short stories or novels. These techniques are called poetic devices.

Poetic devices – Some poetic devices are: repetition, alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia, hyperbole and personification. The definition of each of these poetic devices is given below.

  1. Repetition: – This refers to a situation where a writer says one thing over and over again, it lays emphasis on a particular idea.

a.) The woods decay, the woods decay and fall (A.L Tennyson)

b.) It’s mad, mad, mad world.

c.) Vanity of vanities: you are vain, he is vain, all is vanity.

  1. Alliteration: – This is the repetition of initial consonant sounds within a line of a poem, as in:

a.) God made man man made money money made man m

b.) Grass rustled r

c.) The furrow followed f

  1. Assonance: – This is the repetition of vowel sounds. It is the agreement between stressed vowels in two words. As in:

a.) Watch your stopwatch.

b.) Dream beyond dream.

  1. Onomatopoeia:-This is a device in which the sound suggest the meaning of words or expressions. As in:

a.) Tick tack says the clock.

b.) The meowing of a cat.

c.) The roaring of a lion.

  1. Hyperbole: – This is an overstatement or exaggeration. An idea is stated in greater terms than usual for emphasis. E.g

a.) Thank you a million times.

b.) He laughed to death.

c.) The jutted bride wept floods of tears.

  1. Personification: – An inanimate object or abstract idea is given the characteristics or is referred to as a human being. E.g:

a.) Let the floods clap their hands.

c.) Confusion heard his voice.

d.) But anxiety went on.

Exercise / Assignment

  1. What is a poetic language?
  2. Name two poetic devices you have been taught.
  3. Give one example for each of the following

a.) Personification

b.) Onomatopoeia