Home › Glossary › Letter I

Interjection

Device
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An abrupt exclamatory word or phrase inserted into verse to express emotion

Detailed Definition
A word or short phrase expressing sudden emotion that stands alone grammatically, typically at line beginnings or ends. Common interjections in poetry include "Oh!" "Alas!" "Hark!" "Lo!" and "Ah!" These expressions create dramatic emphasis, mark emotional peaks, signal shifts in tone or subject, and punctuate powerful feelings. Interjections provide natural speech rhythms and emotional authenticity while creating moments of heightened intensity.
Example
Example in poetry:
Interjection appears in Shakespeare: “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!”; Emily Dickinson’s “Ah! distinctly I remember” uses interjection for emotional entry; modern example: Lucille Clifton’s “won’t you celebrate with me” opens with implied interjection; interjections (“O,” “Ah,” “Alas”) convey immediate feeling; they’re common in apostrophe and dramatic monologue; this device creates intimacy and urgency.
Additional Notes
A word or phrase expressing sudden emotion, typically standing alone grammatically. Examples: "Oh!" "Alas!" "Hark!" Creates dramatic emphasis and emotional peaks. Common in passionate, romantic, or exclamatory verse. Can mark transitions or climactic moments.
Other Meanings of “Interjection”
Also Known As
exclamation ejaculation emotional particle expressive outcry Ecphoneme Emotional outcry
Skip to main content