Poemify: Wordplay

For today's Literary Devices, we'll play on words and learn how to play on words.

Have you ever heard someone describe a phrase as “punny”? Punny is a blend word, or portmanteau, which combines “pun” and “funny” to describe a funny pun. This is an act of wordplay.

What Is WordPlay?

In simple terms, wordplay is the act of rearranging a word in a creative way to change, emphasize, or mock its meaning.

Wordplay is a creative act which allows writers and readers to flex their thinking muscles.

Wordplay has been employed by greats like Shakespeare to create entirely new words, modern poets to hide interesting messages, and quirky comedians to show off witty thinking.

One may want to ask, 'of what importance is Wordplay?'

Much of poetry and comedy makes use of wordplay to emphasize beauty, intelligence, and wit. It is also a way for wordsmiths to sharpen their creative-thinking in crafting words in new and unique ways. Wordplay serves as proof that literature is evolving, as new words are invented each year.

Important Note: Wordplay is not Pun, but wordplay includes pun, spoonerism, double entendres and rhetorical excursions.

When is best to use Wordplay?

Wordplay is primarily a playful and creative technique which is used by poets in lighthearted and imaginative compositions. It can also be used in creating new words serious and silly alike.

How to use Wordplay:

1. Neologism: This literally means new words, or words recently created in order to describe something which has never been described.

Examples:

- Spork: a combined SPOON and FORK.

- Flabberwhelmed - a combined flabbergasted and overwhelmed.

- Poetica - a combined POETRY and EROTICA.

- Studiot - a combined STUPID and IDIOT fellow.

- Brhoe - a combined BRO and WHORE.

- Punny - a combined PUN and FUNNY.

2. Anagram: This is a type of wordplay in which the letters of a word or phrase are rearranged to create a new word or phrase containing the exact same letters.

Example:

- Anagram = "nag a ram!"

- Martins = "mar things"

- Stefn = "stiffen"

- Example = "ex ample"

(Use the above in a poem and see how hilarious it becomes)

An example of modern word play can be found on line 103 of Childish Gambino's "III. Life: The Biggest Troll".

- H2O plus my D, that's my hood, I'm living in it.

Can you give this a try? In your attempt, be original.

Assignment: Play on words in a FIVE line poem of any theme.

Best FIVE wordplayers gets a free copy of my 500 Naira worth 'Types Of Poetry'.

Submit your assignment here and Join Poemify Facebook Group

Enjoyed reading? Commenting is now easy.

I introduced Facebook Comment feature. Please help my blog grow by leaving a comment and sharing with friends. Thank you!

Comments

Doris' Torment - A Villanelle Of The Rose | Stefn Sylvester Anyatonwu

POEM 298: DORIS' TORMENT - A VILLANELLE OF THE ROSE Doris couldn't stop thinking about the rose It was just so black and mellow But she could never forget the hose That morning, Doris was shocked by the pose She had to calm herself with a marshmallow Doris couldn't stop thinking about the rose Later, Doris was spooked by a prose She tried to focus on a fellow But she could never forget the hose Alex tried to distract her with a transpose Said it was time to start thinking about a martello Doris couldn't stop thinking about the rose Doris took action like an expose The rose was like a toxic jello But she could never forget the hose Doris nosedived like a tricky chose Her mind became dangerously yellow Doris couldn't stop thinking about the rose But she could never forget the hose ------- This is a type of poetry known as Villanelle. ------- #365DaysOfPoetry #Pengician #SSA Enjoyed reading? Please leave a comment and sharing with friends. Thank you!

Featured Article | Quicken Us, by Paul Albert

QUICKEN US So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. KJV Then will we not depart from you; revive us (give us life) and we will call upon Your name. Amp - Psalms 80 vs. 18. Ever watched a movie where your favorite actor was beaten to a pulp? Beaten to the point where standing on both feet becomes a prayer point? But beyond the pain little sparks of adrenaline still moves through His vein, He doesn’t want to give up or rather He is Hell bent to be the last man standing. I am sure you’ve watched such. But wait. Focus on this… How did that man who has had a beating of His lifetime overcome His greatest fears? Maybe He remembers countless number of people who would become slaves forever to a conquering enemy or how unpredictable their lives would certainly become or definitely the cry of the ones He loves most. Then a spark is ignited, a fire that actually never died starts flowing through his veins again. You can imagine the velocity of adren...

Dear Nun | Stefn Sylvester Anyatonwu

POEM 254: DEAR NUN I pray thee, dear nun, a morning psalm don’t be to me. Would rather you sow, deep in my heart, the yearning of your bud, in the wake of twilight. I pray thee, dear nun, in vain doth my want restrain from wrapping us in a hell of heavenly bliss, for though I kiss my Rosary, still it be blasphemy to rise and fall in lust's refrain. The lingering whiff of your first menses nor the beauty wrapped in flowing gown, doth conceal you inert desires, nor veil, with virtues, you [I dread to say nor write], for we’re far beyond those pretenses in which we cage love in pious frown You could hold a smile, it won't millstone your soul and cast thee hence in heart of Sheol. Shed now your sigh, estranged the flowing gown and let your long-lost heart embrace wanton thoughts. For they both appear, to pay sin’s toll, not one word from thence shall condemn your soul So would you make me now sweat beads from your Rosary? Would you let me take to another realm where clouds shall we...

Jaachi Writes

Search This Blog