Metonym

CRAFT TERM

Oct 26

Think of a metonym as a work-around device. This language choice allows the speaker to substitute a name or subject with the topic or place it’s associated with. Sometimes the word choice represents an abstract idea or larger entity as a singular subject.

Example

“Crown” for a monarchy

“Fist” to represent the people’s revolution against a government

"The Left" to represent Americans who identify with liberal politics

"The White House" referring to the executive branch of American government

"Pen" for the written word (as in, mightier than the sword)

“Ear” for attention (as in, lend me your ears)

Prompt

Create your own personal metonym! Form a list of words you would use to describe yourself then select one.

Write about your journey referring to your own personal metonym.

Resource written by:

Featured

Danielle Mitchell

is an intersectional feminist, poet, and teaching artist. She is host of The Poetry Lab Podcast and a 2023 artist grantee for the California Creative Corps. Danielle is the author of Makes the Daughter-in-Law Cry, winner of the Clockwise Chapbook Prize. Her poems have appeared in journals such as Hayden’s Ferry Review, Vinyl, Four Way Review, Transom, Connotation Press, and others. She is a proud co-founder of The Poetry Lab and currently serves as the organization’s Executive Director.

Find her at imaginarydani.com | 📚 Read More by Danielle | 🎧 Listen to The Poetry Lab Podcast