Alliteration
Literary term · say it uh-lit-uh-RAY-shun
Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the start of nearby words, especially stressed words. It can draw attention to a phrase, give it rhythm, or strengthen its mood.
Where alliteration shows up
Alliteration that strengthens mood
Repeated starting sounds can reinforce a passage’s feeling. Soft sounds may suit a quiet scene, while sharp sounds may suggest tension.
At the opening of The Raven, a tired reader sits over old books late at night. Repeated w sounds in the description of his weakness and weariness reinforce the sleepy mood.
In The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
Alliteration that emphasizes movement
Repeated starting sounds can give a description a strong beat. This can make movement feel especially noticeable.
In The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the ship sails briskly onward before it enters a silent sea. Repeated b sounds accompany the blowing breeze, giving the ship’s progress a lively beat.
In The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
How to spot alliteration
- Read a short passage aloud.
- Listen for the same consonant sound at the start of nearby words.
- Notice whether those sounds emphasize a mood, movement, or important phrase.
Does alliteration depend on letters or sounds?
Alliteration depends on sounds, not spelling. Words beginning with different letters can alliterate if their opening consonant sounds match, as in cat and kitten. Words beginning with the same letter may not alliterate, as in city and cat.
What is the difference between alliteration, assonance, and consonance?
Alliteration repeats starting consonant sounds, assonance repeats vowel sounds, and consonance repeats consonant sounds anywhere in words. The terms can overlap: a phrase with repeated starting consonants can show both alliteration and consonance. Listen for where the repeated sound occurs.
Related terms
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