(IC) Lesson Topic 1: Onomatopoeia

Lesson Topic 1: Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates the sound it represents.

Example: splash, wow, gush, kerplunk

Such devices bring out the full flavor of words. When this occurs, it is called onomatopoeia (a Greek word meaning name-making), for the sounds literally make the meaning in such words as "buzz," "crash," "whirr," "clang" "hiss," "purr," "squeak," "mumble," "hush," "boom."

Here is a poem by Shel Silverstein that shows onomatopoeia.

Joey

Joey took a stone

And knocked

Down

The

Sun!

And whoosh! it swizzled

Down so hard,

And bloomp! it bounced

In his backyard,

And glunk! it landed

On his toe!

And the world was dark,

And the corn wouldn't grow,

And the wind wouldn't blow,

And the cock wouldn't crow,

And it always was Night,

Night,

Night,

All because

Of a stone

And Joe