Pow! A great descriptive word in the English language, the word Pow is a perfect example of the literary term, onomatopoeia. Authors make use of all forms of onomatopoeia to exaggerate the dramatic implications of the word that they wish to use. A clear understanding of the word onomatopoeia can be achieved through an analysis of its formal, informal, and historical definitions. .
The term, onomatopoeia, can be looked at in different aspects from formally to informally. However, when speaking of the denotations of the word, there is a common definition that is most commonly used universally. To generalize all of the denotations found in dictionaries around the world, it is helpful to use the very creditable Oxford English Dictionary. According to the OED, onomatopoeia is "the development of a name or a word that uses imitation of the sound that is connected with the thing or action selected." Also, this complex dictionary states that "the principle of onomatopoeia acts as a force in the formation of words in any language and can also be referred to as echoism." When examining the denotation of this word, it is most helpful to understand the definition by use of examples.
Another approach to look at to understand the literary term, onomatopoeia, also in a formal manner, would be to concentrate on its connotation. To still discuss it formally, the best source to use would be the Oxford English Dictionary. In this, it is explained that the connotation of onomatopoeia is speaking rhetorically. Here, it is the use of "naturally suggestive words, sentences, and forms for a rhetorical effect." Plainly speaking, onomatopoeia uses any forms of text in the art or study of using language efficiently and convincingly.
Still speaking formally of the literary term, onomatopoeia, a third method is through its etymology, which can be expressed by the origin of the word. In addition to explaining the denotation and the connotation of literary terms, the Oxford English Dictionary also is useful in finding this information.
With the bare hints of a medieval)"Kingdom" "high-born kinsmen") ballad setting("long ago," "you may know"- familiarity with a popular ballad?)the poem launches into a relentless onomatopeia echo of the waves on the shore. Most of these settings usually turn gothically grim and this is no exception....
