Students will learn about the poetic device of onomatopoeia, create onomatopoeic slogans or jingles, write a poem using the technique and then share it with the class.

Onomatopoeia can add interest to any prose, poetry or performance. The words roll off the tongue and are fun to say. In addition, onomatopoeic words can help create mood in student writing.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines onomatopoeia, which is pronounced [oh-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh] as "the formation of a word by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent."

Example of onomatopoeia used in a sentence:

The wooden chair creaked and moaned as the large man plopped down for a rest.

Prepare and Organize Onomatopoetic Lesson

Collect poetry books to share with the students that showcase poems that use the poetic technique of onomatopoeia. Great books to use with this lesson are the following:

• Wham! It’s a Poetry Jam: Discovering Performance Poetry by Sara Holbrook [Boyds Mills Press, 2002]
• Avalanche Annie: A Not-So-Tall Tale by Lisa Wheeler [Harcourt Children’s Books, 2003]
• In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Flemming [Henry Hold & Company 1995]
• The River by Nik Pollard [Roaring Brook Press, 2003]

Make a rubric to grade the poems. It is best to decide on the criteria and the level of quality the students need to reach to be successful in this lesson.

Design handouts for the students that explain onomatopoeia.

Example Items to Use in Onomatopoeia Handout

1. Think of three more onomatopoetic words that are not on the list.

List of example onomatopoetic words:

bam, bang, bing, boom, buzz, crackle, clang, clatter, creak, ding, dong, fizz, glug, growl, grunt, gurgle, howl, hum, knock, meow, moan, murmur, neigh, oink, ping, pong, pop, plop, rip, roar, slap, smack, snap, squawk, thud, tweet, wham, whiz, whoosh, yawn, yelp, and zoom

2. Use two or more onomatopoeic words to write an original jingle or slogan for a favorite product.

(Slogan: a memorable motto or phrase used to express an idea or purpose. Jingle: a memorable motto or phrase with a musical beat.)

Example: Alka Seltzer’s jingle: “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz… Oh what a relief it is”

3. Write original poetry. Use three-to-five examples of onomatopoeia in the poem. For the final copy, illustrate the poem, and emphasize the onomatopoeia examples.

Teaching the Onomatopoeia Lesson

1. Go over the definition of onomatopoeia.

2. Discuss example list of onomatopoeia. Tell students to brainstorm other ones.

3. Discuss how onomatopoeia is used in product slogans and jingles for advertisements.

Example: “Plop, plop fizz, fizz…oh what a relief it is!”

In 1979, Alka-Seltzer used the jingle for relief of indigestion. It became one of the the most recognized commercials.

Example: "Zoom Zoom"

Currently, Mazda Motor of America is using “zoom-zoom” in its global marketing campaign. “Spirited performance is an essential element of Zoom-Zoom.”

Now, have students make their own slogan or jingle for a favorite product. Direct students to share them with the class.

4. Read three-to-five poems with examples of onomatopoeia with enthusiasm to the class. Point out the onomatopoeia used in the poems. Place the books on a chalk tray or table for students to use as model poems.

5. Allow time for students to start a rough draft of a poem with three-to-five examples of onomatopoeia in class.

6. Assign students to write a final copy of the poem for homework. Students should illustrate it too and highlight the onomatopoeic words.

Have fun with words! Poetry is meant to be read aloud. Students should share their poems with the class. After students have shared poems, post illustrated poems on a bulletin board.