In this poem, Spike Milligan (a famous comedian, writer, poet and playwright) has written about onomatopoeia (say: on-o-mat-o-pay-a), which is a technique used by some poets. Read the poem, consider what the word ‘onomatopoeia’ means and then answer the questions that follow it. You will learn more about onomatopoeia in Collection 4.
to understand and identify examples of onomatopoeia
‘OnaMaTaPia’ BY SPIKE MILLIGAN
Onamatapia!
Thud – Wallop – CRASH! Onamatapia
Snip – Snap – GNASH! Onamatapia
Whack – thud – BASH! Onamatapia
Bong – Ting – SPLASH!
1. There is a big spelling mistake in the poem. What is it and what is the correct spelling of this word?
2. Write your own defi nition of what ‘onomatopoeia’ is. 3. Write a list of some other onomatopoeic words.
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4. Why has this poet written a poem on onomatopoeia, do you think? What eff ect do all these words have on the reader? Discuss this in pairs or small groups.
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Go to your Writing Skills Book to carry
out a poet profi le on Kit Wright, Spike Milligan or another poet of your choice.