Alliteration

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Alliteration

Alliteration is a stylistic device, or literary technique, in which successive words (more strictly, stressed syllables) begin with the same consonant sound or letter. Alliteration is a frequent tool in poetry but it is also common in prose, particularly to highlight short phrases. Especially in poetry, it contributes to euphony of the passage, lending it a musical air. It may add a humorous effect. Related to alliteration are assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, and consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds.

Alliterative verse in one form or another is shared by all of the Germanic languages. In the English language, alliteration occurs in Old English poetry, of which it was a central component. In the Romantic era, it was once more given attention: the Romantics were generally interested in making poetry more musical, and in the ancient heritage of their native languages. Richard Wagner, for instance, used alliteration extensively in his operatic texts. (cf. Stabreim)

Examples

Examples of alliteration include well-known tongue-twisters such as "Round the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran" and "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."

Examples of consonance include "Sparkling...Flavorful...Miller High Life" (advertising slogan for Miller beer).

Literary examples

And tell the pleasant Prince this mock of his

/ Hath turned his balls to gun stones

- Act 1 Scene Two of Henry V by William Shakespeare

Here the alliterative use of the letter 'p' emphasises Henry's sarcasm.

Alliteration with V is featured in V for Vendetta (film) (See also this section)

Alliteration is used in the titles of the A Series of Unfortunate Events novels by Lemony Snicket.

Alliteration is used in the title of the children's book, Thank You for the Thistle, and in the entire text written by Dorie Thurston and published by Dorie Books.

Great Aunt Nellie and Brent Bernard watched with wild wonder at the wide window as the beautiful birds began to bite into the bountiful birdseed.

First, came a charming chickadee who chirped cheerfully.

Common examples

Like rhyme, alliteration is a great help to memory: it is 'catchy', and frequently used in news headlines, corporate names, literary titles, advertising, buzzwords, and nursery rhymes.

baby boom
back to basics
balance the books
Beavis and Butt-Head
Big Bang
Big Ben
boom or bust
Coca-Cola
Curry Castle, Curry Cottage, and Curry Condo
do or die
final four
green as grass
hale and hearty
kill the king
John Jacob Jingleheimer Smith
Jenna Jameson
live the life
Making magic
March Madness
McDonald's Massacre
McMurder
Methuselah Mouse
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mantle
Monday morning
the more the merrier
pay the price
peer-to-peer
Political Policy
Pontiac Pursuit
poor but proud
Sesame Street
sink or swim
Suffering Succotash
Super Sonic
Surround Sound
sweet sixteen
it takes two to Tango
Tiny Tim
Take two
Tribulation Tech
watchful waiting

Doug's Dog Digs Dirt

At least two notable computer games are named with alliteration:

The Leisure Suit Larry (and other) games often feature alliteration for humorous names of fictional companies, magic spells etc. Occasionally parents and authors use alliteration in the naming of their children and characters:

It is also common in the naming of many comic book characters:

Stan Lee, co-creator of many comic book super-heroes, has stated that he named many of his characters using alliteration as an aid in helping himself remember them, as he is creator of many, and often forgets easily.

External links

Links on alliteration from the Open Directory Project
http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/alliteration.html
Alliteration as a figure of speech
http://www.doriebooks.com alliterated children's book with lesson plan on writing with alliteration

Poetic form | Figures of speech | Rhetoric

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Examples

Literary examples

Common examples

See also

External links