POETRY PRESCRIPTION: ANAPHORA

​I’m delighted to begin a series of blog posts about the use of poetic devices in picture book writing.
What exactly are poetic devices?
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​“Poetic devices are tools used to create rhythm, enhance meaning, and intensify mood using a variety of writing strategies.” (Shared from Linsey Betts and Kara Wilson at Study.com) We employ these tools to enhance our written work and create a deeper connection to the piece for our reader.

Today, we’ll take a closer look at a poetic device: Anaphora

Anaphora is the repetition of a word or set of words at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines. It:

• has a sonic or audible effect
• creates a rhythm
• intensifies emotion

​In the poem “Least Favorite Nickname” from my poetry collection THE SUPERLATIVE A. LINCOLN: POEMS ABOUT OUR 16TH PRESIDENT (Illustrated by Dave Szalay) I used this poetic device. The poem is about Lincoln’s dislike of his childhood nickname “Abe” and emphasizes the fact that he really preferred other forms of address, such as Lincoln or Mr. Lincoln. To play up this point, I repeated the phrase “call him,” creating a distinct rhythm and also heightening the emotion about this phrasing for the reader.
 
Call him Mr. President, the leader of our states.
Call him a great orator, well known for his debates.
Call him neighbor, father, son—all labels he could claim.
Know that when folks called him Abe, he didn’t like that name.

​For an example of anaphora in a prose selection, take a look at Pat Zeitlow Miller’s awarding winning picture book, SOPHIE’S SQUASH (Illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf).  She tells the story of a little girl who brings a squash home from the farmer’s market. Instead of allowing mom to use it in the family’s dinner that night, the girl gives the squash a name—Bernice—and it becomes her constant companion. Pat employs anaphora very effectively in phrasing to open the story.

 
One bright fall day, Sophie chose a squash at the farmer’s market.
Her parents planned to serve it for supper, but Sophie had other ideas.
It was just the right size to hold in her arms.
Just the right size to bounce on her knee.
Just the right size to love.
 
Pat’s use of anaphora to open her book helps us feel the intensity of the little girl’s love for the squash more deeply and better understand the emotional connection. The reader forms a stronger bond with Bernice, too. 

Are there ways that you can employ anaphora in your current poem or picture book draft?

​Poetic devices are a great tool in your writer’s toolbox. I look forward to sharing more of these useful poetic devices every few weeks.
Happy writing!
 
by Eileen Meyer, Rhyme Doctor