How to Use Poetic Devices: Metonymy and Synecdoche
It’s time for another installment of How to Use Poetic Devices! Today we’re covering metonymy and synecdoche, two of the most similar devices (and the weirdest spellings!).
If you are one of the 2.5 million people who have seen this video, then you’ve heard of synecdoche. This blog will explain how to actually pronounce it and its sister device, metonymy, as well as what they are and how to incorporate them into your writing.
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What is metonymy and how do I say that?
Metonymy is pronounced similarly to autonomy: met-awn-eh-me.
It’s a poetic device where a word associated with a thing is used in place of that thing
OR
When a subject’s name is used to mean the collective of them/their work
Some examples:
Using "the crown" in reference to the monarchy
“Kansas City was up by 10,” referring to a Kansas City team
“We’re reading Dickinson this semester,” meaning you’re reading Dickinson’s work
What is synecdoche and how do I say that?
Synecdoche is more difficult to pronounce if you’ve never heard it: sin-eck-doe-key.
It is defined as:
When part of a word is used to mean the whole word
OR
When the word for something is used to mean part of the thing
Some examples:
“New set of wheels,” referring to a new car
“The Senate floor went silent” referring to the people
In The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, T.S. Eliot writes "I should have been a pair of ragged claws / Scuttling across the floors of silent seas”, he uses claws to refer to a crab
What’s the difference?
It can be difficult to keep these two devices straight because they’re so similar. To remember which is which, I try to remember this:
Metonymy- uses associated words
Synecdoche- a part represents the whole (or the reverse)
Metonymy is based on relationships to the thing, while synecdoche is part of the thing.
Tips:
To introduce synecdoche and metonymy into your writing, focus on finding words that capture the essence of the nouns you’re using. Replace the abstract in your writing with a concrete facet.
Every word matters in poetry. Metonymy and synecdoche are perfect for squeezing power to into every word on the page.
Writing a haiku or other form that has specific requirements? Looking for a word of a different length or that creates different sounds? Try metonymy and synecdoche!
If you are looking for words to implement these devices, try Word Hippo or your favorite thesaurus! I’m partial to Merriam-Webster, personally.
I hope you enjoyed this installment of How to Use Poetic Devices! To see the ones I’ve already covered, click here.
Have a wonderful summer and happy writing <3
