People often try to draw a line between poetry and prose, but sometimes the two are one in the same. Here are a few poetic devices that can add impact to your prose:
Repetition.
You don't want to be redundant—that is, you don't want to unnecessarily repeat things. For example, you wouldn't say "The red blood poured out of the wound" unless it was significant that the blood was red. Blood is usually red and readers will assume that even if you don't specifically state the color.
However, repetition is sometimes useful for hammering in a point. You can use the same words or phrases from sentence to sentence to create impact.
I love the way you smile when you're about to drink your favorite kind of coffee. I love the way you always see the best in other people. Most of all, I love the way you're always by my side. (This could be communicated without so many "I love the way"s, but this conveys a nice rhythm.
Alliteration, Assonance, and Consonance
Alliteration is when you begin several words that are close together with the same letter — Billy the Baker borrowed my books.
Assonance is when you use the same vowel sound in several words — The meek reaper eked out a living.
Consonance is when you use the same consonant sound in several words — Bucky the baker acted wacky.
These devices don't appear as much in prose as they do in poetry, but you can use them if you want to emphasize a certain phrase, or if one of your characters wants to be witty.
Metaphors and Similes
A simile compares one thing to another using "like" or "as" — He was as slow as a glacier. She was so hyper, she was like a child who found a hidden stash of candy.
A metaphor compares one thing to another without using "like" or "as." You have to be sure that the context makes what you're saying clear. For example, you could say, He was a lion. Readers will know that this person isn't literally a lion, but you have to make sure that they know in what way he is like a lion. He was a lion — strong, loud, and wild.
Personification
Personification is when you give human attributes to an inanimate object — No matter how many times I typed in the password, I couldn't get the file to open. I was sure my computer had a personal grudge against me.
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia are words that sound like their meaning — crack, sizzle, whack, thwack, quack, etc...
As writers, part of our job is to express things in unexpected ways. Throwing some poetic devices into our prose can help us do that. You're probably already using some of the above devices without really thinking about it, but maybe being more aware of your options will enrich your writing.
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