Alliteration - Meaning, Usage & Examples

Lesson Overview

• What Is Alliteration Meaning?
• How Do We Use Alliterations?
• Alliteration in Poetry, Prose, and Drama
• How to Identify Alliteration
• Examples of Alliteration
• Alliteration Assessment

What Is Alliteration Meaning?

Alliteration is a part of the figure of speech. It refers to the repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of closely placed words in a sentence. This stylistic device adds rhythm and interest to writing, making it more engaging. For example:

Example:

Sally sells seashells by the seashore. 

Here, the "s" sound is repeated, creating alliteration.

Take This Quiz:

Simile, Metaphor or Alliteration ?

How Do We Use Alliterations?

Step 1

Pick a letter or sound you want to repeat in your sentence. This sound should be the same at the beginning of multiple nearby words.

Example: Decide to use the "s" sound.

Step 2

Think about the message or idea you want to convey. This will help guide your word choice.

Example: A sunny beach day.

Step 3

Pick descriptive or meaningful words that fit your theme and begin with the same letter or sound. Avoid small words like "and" or "is."

Example: "Sunny sand sparkled softly by the shore."

Step 4

Place the chosen words in a meaningful and grammatically correct sentence. Ensure it flows naturally.

Example: "The summer sun shone on the sparkling sea."

Step 5

Read your sentence out loud to check if the repeated sound creates a rhythm or emphasis.

Example: "Bright blue balloons bobbed in the breeze."

Take This Quiz:

Trivia Quiz on Alliteration Sentences!

Alliteration in Poetry, Prose, and Drama

Alliteration is used in different forms of writing, such as poetry, prose, and drama, to make the language more engaging and memorable. Here's how it works in each:

1. Alliteration in Poetry

In poetry, alliteration enhances rhythm and musicality. Poets use it to emphasize important words and create vivid imagery.
Example:
"Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."

• The repeated "p" sound adds a playful tone and rhythm.

Why It's Used:

• To make poems more fun to read and listen to.
• To draw attention to key ideas or images.

2. Alliteration in Prose

In prose, like stories or essays, alliteration is used to make descriptions more vivid or persuasive.
Example:
"The wind whispered through the wild woods."

• The repeated "w" sound creates a calm and mysterious mood.

Why It's Used:

• To make sentences memorable.
• To enhance the emotional tone of a description.

3. Alliteration in Drama

In drama, alliteration is often used in dialogue or monologues to give characters a unique voice or emphasize emotions.
Example:
"Fair is foul, and foul is fair." - Shakespeare's Macbeth

• The repeated "f" sound highlights the eerie and twisted nature of the witches' words.

Why It's Used:

• To express emotions or themes.
• To make lines more impactful during performances.

Take This Quiz:

Can you pass this Alliteration Test?

How to Identify Alliteration

Step 1: Look for words close to each other in a sentence.
Step 2: Check if the starting sounds of these words are the same.
Step 3: Ignore small words like "and," "is," or "the."

Example:

• "Bright birds boldly flew by."
  Here, the "b" sound is repeated in "bright," "birds," and "boldly."

Take This Quiz:

Literary Facts about Alliteration!Quiz

Examples of Alliteration

Alliteration Assessment

Exercise 1: Identify Alliterations
Find the repeated sounds in these sentences:

1. Silly snakes slithered slowly.
2. Red roses rustled rapidly.
3. Funny frogs found fresh food.

Exercise 2: Create Your Own Alliterations
Write a sentence where the words start with the same sound. 

Example: "Crazy cats climbed carefully."

Exercise 3: Correct the Sentence
Rewrite the sentence to add alliteration.
Original: The cat slept by the fire.
Rewritten: The clever cat curled by the crackling fire.