What is Alliteration? (Definition, Examples, How to Use)

What is alliteration? Alliteration is a type of writing, put into three different types, general alliteration, unvoiced alliteration, and symmetrical alliteration. Learn all about alliteration and it’s three forms in this complete guide.

What is alliteration?

Alliteration, also called initial rhyme or head rhyme, is a literary trick in which the first consonant sounds of adjacent words are repeated in a sentence or a phrase. This literary device is used by authors to highlight an important point. Alliteration is created by repeated sounds, not the letter. This is commonly used in poetry to create a rhyming effect.

Examples:

1. Larry’s lizards love lounging on the lawn.
2. Becky’s beagles bayed and barked, bothering Barry.
3. The dog dodged the ball Doug threw at him.
4. Lilly loves to lick licorice ice cream.
5. Maria married a man from Missouri.
6. Ronny gave a riveting recitation at the end.
7. Princess Priscilla picked her purple peanuts.
8. Steve stole the stew from the stove.
9. Don’t put the putty in the pitcher.
10. The wicked witch wove the wicker basket.

Difference between alliteration, consonance, and assonance

Alliteration can often be confused with consonance or assonance. Consonance and assonance are figures of speech similar to alliteration because they also rely on similar sounds. But these two figures of speech are slightly different from alliteration.

Assonance

Assonance is the repetition of a vowel sound. The repetitive vowel sounds can be anywhere in words, but the words have to be in close proximity to each other. The title of this article might appear as an alliteration, but since the repetition relies on vowel sounds, not consonant sounds, it will be an example of assonance.

Examples of Assonance

• Could you get me some chips and dips?
• I am in a good mood.
• The birds fly high.
• He claps his hands.

Consonance

Consonance is when the consonant sound is repeated in two or more nearby words, but it is not necessarily at the start. Thus, alliteration is a type of consonance. Consonance involves repeated consonant sounds present anywhere in two or more words that are near each other. Below are some examples of non-alliteration consonance:

Consonance example

• Mike likes his new bike.
• A bond that transcends the beyond.
• Norm the worm got lost in the storm.
• Going against the grain.

Alliteration: The different types

The three different types of alliteration include:

General alliteration

This is one of the most widely used forms of alliteration. It can be easily used and understood. In this form of alliteration, the beginning syllable or sound is repeated in a sentence or phrase.

Example:

Sally saw seventeen saucers.

In this example, alliteration is created due to the sound “s” being used repeatedly.

Unvoiced alliteration

This kind of alliteration is only noticed when looking at the written text and is often missed when an individual reads the text aloud. This happens because the repeating consonant sound may be silent in one or more words in the sentence.

Example:

The kind knight had a knife in his pocket.

In this sentence, the “k” sound is repeated, but the sound is silent in the words “knight” and “knife.” This makes it an unvoiced alliteration.

Symmetrical alliteration

This kind of alliteration is enjoyable to read, especially in poetry. This alliteration occurs when a phrase’s beginning and ending sounds are mirrored. It creates a sense of harmony and balance and, in some cases, produces a dramatic effect. Symmetrical alliteration contains chiasmus (a reversal of grammatical constructions in consecutive clauses or phrases) or parallelism.

Example:

The tomato that toppled on the tomahawk steak cracked.

In this sentence, the sounds “t” and “th” are repeated, but they alternate, giving a harmonic effect.

Examples of alliteration in different forms of writing

Alliteration can be used in different forms of literature like prose, poetry, songs, or even in names or everyday speech. Some examples include:

In poetry

Alliteration is frequently used in poetry to achieve the desired rhythm and melodic qualities that enhance the poem’s overall flow. This enhances the beauty of the poem, especially when read aloud.

Example:

Mary Angelou’s “The Caged Bird” has several alliterative phrases, like:

“The free bird thinks of another breeze

And the trade winds soft through the sighing trees”

Similarly, “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe is filled with alliteration. Example: “Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.”

In prose

Though not really common, alliteration can be used in prose just as effectively as it can in poetry. Authors can give their writing a poetic touch by using alliteration. Famous authors like William Shakespeare, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and James Joyce have used alliteration in their works.

Example:

The sentences “Being tasted, slays all senses with the heart” and “And flecked darkness like a drunkard reels” in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” are examples of alliteration in prose. In the first sentence, the sound “s” is repeated, and in the second sentence, the sound “d” is repeated.

In common words or phrases

Alliteration is very frequently used in everyday language. Alliteration is used in a lot of well-known quotes, sayings, and phrases. Some common phrases include:

• last laugh
• money matters
• right as rain
• picture perfect
• ride roughshod
• nervous nelly

Alliteration is also used in some tongue twisters.

Examples:

1. She sells seashells by the seashore.
2. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.

In company or brand names

Alliteration is frequently used by businesses to make their brand names more memorable. Several famous brands and companies have names that have alliteration in them. Examples include:

• Best Buy
• Krispy Kreme
• Lulu Lemon
• Dunkin’ Donuts
• Coca-Cola
• PayPal
• Backstreet Boys

In popular names

There are many popular fictional characters, both in literature and movies, and real celebrities, who have alliteration in their names. Some examples include:

• Sansa Stark
• Mickey Mouse
• Pete Parker
• Bruce Banner
• Marilyn Monroe
• Kim Kardashian
• Luna Lovegood
• Spongebob Squarepants
• Willy Wonka

Using alliterative names for characters in literature makes their names easier to remember.

Exercise on alliteration

From the sentences given below, identify the alliterative phrases or words and the type of alliteration.

1. Sally wanted to buy bread, but she bought some cookies.
2. Adam caught a cat playing catch with Plutus.
3. The killer killed the knight with a knife.
4. The gnome gobbled up the ginger root.
5. Donald Duck tried to drive through the doorway.
6. The dentist took the diving tool to the corner shop.
7. Lola gave her lover a loving look.
8. The kid knew that his knickers were knotted.
9. Quincy quilted the quilt quickly.
10. Arya alerted the armory about the alleged fight.

How to help kids understand alliteration

The best way to explain alliteration to kids is through examples.

Figures of speech are best understood through the use of real-life examples. The concept will be easily understood by giving them examples and helping them come up with their own alliterative words.

Another great way to explain alliteration is through exercises such as making them find alliteration in a poem or a text (use the exercise/quiz above).

An important part to focus on is to explain the differences between alliteration, assonance clearly, and consonance, as these can be easily confused with one another.

Sources:

1. Merriam Webster – alliteration – Definition
2. Wikipedia – Alliteration
3. Grammarly – All About Alliteration
4. StudySmarter – Alliteration