The Art of Alliteration

How to Make Your Writing Pop

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Have you ever read a piece of writing that just seemed to sing off the page? If so, chances are, it was crafted with alliteration.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting, mastering the art of alliteration is a powerful tool that can make your writing pop.

What is Alliteration?

Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in words close together, creating a pleasing and memorable rhythm.

When used effectively, alliteration can emphasize your writing, create a sense of unity, and make your words more memorable.

I’m not sure I’ve effectively used it in my writing, if at all. I guess I never consciously paid much attention to it outside of ensuring my stories and articles flowed nicely.

But I was curious, so I decided to write about it, hopefully helping you too.

Alliteration in Literature and Advertising

Alliteration is used extensively in fiction, poetry, and advertising.

Poetry

In poetry, alliteration can create a sense of unity and add emphasis to certain words or phrases.

• “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary.” from Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven.
• “The sibilant susurration of the sea” from Dylan Thomas’s Fern Hill.

Fiction

For fiction, it can be used to create memorable characters or settings.

• “Luscious lemonade” from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
• “Bilbo Baggins” from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.
• “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes” from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
• “The fair breeze blew; the white foam flew” from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

Advertising

Companies often use alliterative slogans to make their products more memorable.

Many of them include:

• “Melts in your mouth, not in your hands” from M&M’s
• “The quicker picker-upper” from Bounty
• “Finger-lickin’ good” from KFC
• “Beanz meanz Heinz” from Heinz Baked Beans
• “The Pause That Refreshes” from Coca-Cola

If you recognize any of these, and you should know at least one, it worked.

These slogans are catchy and easy to remember, making them effective marketing tools.

Alliteration in Headlines and Titles

Alliteration can be particularly effective in headlines and titles. It can create catchy and memorable headlines and titles, such as:

• “The Secret to Successful Selling: Storytelling.”
• “The Power of Positive Thinking: How to Change Your Life.”
• “The ABCs of SEO: A Beginner’s Guide to Search Engine Optimization.”

Techniques for Using Alliteration Effectively

To use alliteration effectively in your writing, you need to understand the different techniques that can be used to create it, such as:

Consonance

Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds anywhere in the word, not just at the beginning. For example, “pitter-patter” or “fluttering and muttering.”

Assonance

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in words that are close together. For example, “fleet feet sweep by sleeping geese” or “try to light the fire.”

Wordplay

Wordplay involves using puns or other forms of wordplay to create alliteration. For example, “I’m reading a book on anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down.”

And who doesn’t love a good pun?

Rhyme

Rhyme involves using words that end in the same sound. For example, “She ate eight dates on a plate.”

Try saying that five times fast.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

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While alliteration can be a powerful tool in your writing, it’s essential to avoid common mistakes that can make your writing sound forced or unnatural.

Overuse

Using too much alliteration can make your writing sound over-the-top and forced. So, only use it when it adds something to your writing.

Inconsistency

Inconsistent alliteration can be distracting and confusing. So, stick with it throughout your writing.

Incorrect Pronunciation

Using alliteration with words that are difficult to pronounce can make your writing sound awkward. So, ensure the words you choose are easy to say and understand.

Exercises to Improve Your Skills

If you want to improve your alliteration skills or even your speech skills, you can try exercises such as:

Tongue Twisters

Tongue twisters are a fun way to practice alliteration.

Say phrases like “red lorry, yellow lorry” or “she sells seashells by the seashore” as quickly as possible.

Alliterative Sentences

Try writing sentences that use alliteration.

For example, “Sally sells seashells by the seashore” or “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”

Alliterative Stories

Try writing a short story that uses alliteration.

For example, “The slippery snake slithered slowly through the swamp.”

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And don’t feel embarrassed when you trip yourself the first few times. I used to do some of these exercises in elementary music class to warm our voices.

It does get easier.

Tools for Generating Alliterative Phrases

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If you’re struggling to come up with alliterative phrases, there are a few tools you can use to help you, including:

• The Alliteration Generator: a free online tool that generates alliterative phrases based on the words you enter.
• The Alliteration Dictionary provides a list of words starting with a particular letter.
• RhymeZone gives you rhyming words, alliterative phrases, and synonyms.

Conclusion

Alliteration can be your best tool in writing if you know how to wield it correctly.

Now stop reading, grab a pen, and start experimenting!

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