American Literature / Unit 1 AML 0016 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Onomatopoeia, Euphony, Cacophony
Captions available
The idea
Onomatopoeia is a word whose sound suggests its meaning, the glossary offering "bang" and "thwack". Euphony names a pleasant run of sound and cacophony a harsh one. A poet wanting a reader to flinch chooses hard consonants; one wanting a reader soothed chooses liquids and long vowels.
In practice
Bang and thwack against smooth and long.
Where people slip
The terms describe an effect, not a rule.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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