Alliteration is a literary device that is used to create a musical or rhythmic effect in writing. Alliteration imply the repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of multiple words in a sentence or phrase. Examples of alliteration are found found in poetry, song lyrics, and even in everyday speech.
The repeating sound must occur either in the first letter of each word, or in the stressed syllables of those words. For example, the phrase “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” is an example of alliteration because of the repeated “p” sound.
Writers and marketers used alliteration to emphasize specific words and make phrases more memorable.
Example from literature:
Opening line in “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
Besides literature, alliteration can also be utilized in branding and advertising to create catchy slogans that stick in the minds of consumers. The writers and marketers should comprehend the power of alliteration and how to use it effectively to achieve their desired impact.
Definition of Alliteration
Alliteration is a literary device that involves the repetition of sounds, specifically consonant sounds, at the beginning of words that are in close proximity to each other.
This technique is often used in poetry, prose, and even in commercial writing such as brand names and slogans. The purpose of alliteration is to create a musical effect, draw attention to a particular phrase or sentence, and to add emphasis to the words being used.
It is pertinent to mention here that alliteration does not refer to the repetition of consonant letters, but rather the repetition of the consonant sound at the beginning of words.
For example, in the sentence “Sally sells seashells by the seashore,” the “s” sound is repeated at the beginning of several words, creating an alliterative effect.
Alliteration is also used to create a specific mood or tone in a piece of writing. For instance, using harsh or guttural sounds can create a sense of tension or danger, while softer sounds can create a more calming or peaceful atmosphere.
Examples of Alliteration in Literature
Here are some examples of alliteration from literature:
One famous example of alliteration in literature is from the opening lines of Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities”:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”
Another example is from William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”:
“From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life.”
Here, the repeated “f” sound in “fatal,” “foes,” and “forth” creates a musical effect that adds to the poetic nature of the writing.
Alliteration can be used in a variety of ways in literature. It can create a mood or tone, emphasize certain words or phrases, and make the writing more memorable. Other examples of alliteration in literature include:
- “Sally sells seashells by the seashore” from the tongue twister
- “Big brown bears bellowing boldly” from “The Jungle Book” by Rudyard Kipling
- “She sells seashells down by the seashore” from the song “She Sells Sanctuary” by The Cult
Types of Alliteration
Consonance
Consonance is a type of alliteration where the repetition of consonant sounds at the end of words. It is different from regular alliteration, which involves the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. Consonance is often used in poetry to create a musical effect and to emphasize certain words or phrases.
For example, “The ship has sailed into the sunset” uses consonance with the repetition of the “s” sound at the end of “ship,” “sailed,” and “sunset.”
Assonance
Assonance is a type of alliteration where the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. It is also used in poetry to emphasize certain words or phrases.
For example, “The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain” uses assonance with the repetition of the “ai” sound in “rain,” “Spain,” “mainly,” and “plain.”
Internal Alliteration
In internal alliteration, there is repetition of consonant sounds within words. It is often used in poetry to create a musical effect.
For example, “The mellow wedding bells” uses internal alliteration with the repetition of the “l” sound.”
Head Rhyme
Head rhyme is a type of alliteration that has the repetition of the initial consonant sound of stressed syllables. It is also used in poetry.
For example, “The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew” uses head rhyme with the repetition of the “f” sound in “fair,” “breeze,” “flew,” and “foam.”
Purpose of Alliteration in Literature
The purpose of alliteration is to create a memorable and rhythmic effect that draws the reader’s attention to the text.
Alliteration is used in literature for a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons is to create a sense of unity and coherence within a text. By repeating the same sound at the beginning of words, the writer can create a sense of connection between different parts of a text. This can help to unify the text and make it easier for the reader to follow along.
Another purpose of alliteration is to create a musical effect in writing. By repeating the same sound at the beginning of words, the writer can create a rhythm and melody that is pleasing to the ear. This can make the text more engaging and enjoyable to read.
Alliteration can also be used to emphasize certain words or ideas in a text. By repeating the same sound at the beginning of words, the writer can draw attention to specific words or ideas that they want to emphasize. This can help to make the text more impactful and memorable for the reader.
Alliteration vs. Other Literary Devices
Alliteration is just one of many literary devices that writers use to create emphasis, attention, significance, and importance to words in poetry, prose, or speech. Here are some other literary devices that are commonly used:
| Device | Description |
|---|---|
| Assonance | Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words |
| Consonance | Repetition of consonant sounds in nearby words |
| Rhyme | Repetition of sounds at the end of nearby words |
| Metaphor | Comparison of two unlike things without using “like” or “as” |
| Simile | Comparison of two unlike things using “like” or “as” |
| Personification | Attributing human qualities to non-human things |
| Synecdoche | Using a part of something to represent the whole thing |
| Metonymy | Using a word to represent something closely associated with it |
While alliteration focuses on the repetition of sounds, assonance and consonance focus on the repetition of vowel and consonant sounds, respectively. Rhyme, on the other hand, focuses on the repetition of sounds at the end of nearby words.
Metaphors and similes are comparisons of two unlike things, while personification is attributing human qualities to non-human things. Synecdoche and metonymy are both forms of figurative language that use a part of something to represent the whole thing or use a word to represent something closely associated with it.
While alliteration can be used to create a musical or rhythmic effect, other literary devices can be used for different purposes, such as creating vivid imagery, making a point, or conveying an emotion. Writers often use a combination of literary devices to achieve their desired effect.
Why Alliteration is Important?
Alliteration is a powerful literary device that has been used for centuries to create emphasis, rhythm, and musicality in writing. It is a technique that can be found in everything from poetry and song lyrics to advertising slogans and business names.
It can also add a layer of meaning or symbolism to a text, as certain sounds may be associated with certain emotions or ideas.
It is a valuable tool for writers, it is important to use it judiciously and not overdo it. Too much alliteration can become distracting or annoying to readers, and may even detract from the overall impact of a piece of writing.
More to read
