Commercial Poetry
You may not realize it, but advertisers use poetry all the time to sell us products and services.
Commercials are full of the rhythms, rhymes, images, and metaphors that all writers use.
Commercials are full of the rhythms, rhymes, images, and metaphors that all writers use.
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Refrain
Here are some commercials I created for my program, Radio Poetry. One of the poetic techniques that stands out here is the refrain. A refrain is a repeated word or phrase that emphasizes the message with rhythm and repetition. Poems for Sale! Poems for Sale! Fantastic! Classic! Poems for Sale! 
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Irony
Everybody thinks poems have to rhyme. In this commercial we expect the last line to rhyme and when it doesn't, that surprise is called irony. Good writing is filled with little twists and turns that readers don't expect. Irony is a great way to do this and add humor to your writing. |
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Image
We all want to look good, and everybody has different ideas about what's cool and what's not. At Radio Poetry we say let your freak flag fly! Good writers create vivid images. Images appeal to our senses: what we see, taste, touch, smell, and hear. As you create images, look for little details that make the picture stand out. Check out what Mimmi Pacini is wearing! |
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Rhyme
When using rhyme, be careful not to force it. Don't choose a word just because it rhymes. Select a rhyming word that fits with your subject. Rhyming is one of the joys of writing poetry, but rhyming well can be harder than you think. Here the rhymes make sense when you are advertising for a cleaning crew. Identify the rhymes and see how they work. |
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Allusion
When you talk about a famous person, mention a famous place, or refer to a well known expression, you are making an allusion. For example, when you say your friend is as honest as Abe Lincoln, you're making an allusion to a U.S. President who was known for telling the truth. In this commercial the candy being advertised is created on "The Big Rock Candy Mountain" which is an allusion to a famous old song. After you've listened to the commercial, check out the original song and this video about The Big Rock Candy Mountain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqowmHgxVJQ |
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Onomatopoeia
Many people think poetry is about flowers and butterflies and fluttering hearts full of love, but you can find poems on all kinds of subjects. There are sports poems, adventure poems, science, and even math poems. Here's a poem exploring the darker side of poetry. I hope Scream Soda scares you enough to tune into the Edgar Allen Poe episode at the bottom of the page. There you will find how to use onomatopoeia to express your horror. |