Poetry Terms: Alliteration

If you write poetry, then you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the poetry terms that are used to identify, define, and discuss the technical aspects of a poem.

In fact, learning poetry terms is essential if you want to be able to discuss poetry. It’s far better to say rhyme instead of having to explain – you know, those words that sound alike but not exactly alike?

Developing a vocabulary of poetry terms will help you better understand the composition techniques and tools that are at your disposal. It may not occur to you that you can build rhythm by repeating consonant sounds. But when you know what alliteration is, then this idea is more likely to come to you as you make a poem.

Poetry Terms for Non-Poets

Though poetry terms are especially useful for poetry writing, these terms (like poetry itself) offer a number of benefits to all writers.

Whether you write fiction, scripts, nonfiction, or song lyrics, learning these poetry terms will help you infuse your writing with literary prowess. You’ll be able to craft sentences that ring bells, paragraphs that float, and entire pieces that flow smoothly and beautifully.

Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the initial consonant sounds of words in close proximity to one another. Examples of alliteration include “black and blue,” “we walk,” or “time after time.”

In some cases, people will use alliteration to refer to any repeated consonant sounds, even if they don’t occur at the beginning of words. An example of this would be “blue arbor,” where the b sound is repeated at the beginning of blue and in the middle of arbor.

Alliteration might also be used to describe the repetition of a consonant sound nestled in the middle or even at the end of words. Blueberry, for example, contains alliteration in a single word.

In some cases, alliteration will be used to refer to words that start with vowel repetition. An example would be “Alliteration is always interesting.” In this example the a (vowel) sound at the beginning of alliteration and always is repeated.

Poetry terms aren’t always clear and distinct, and general use of the language means words like alliteration get used loosely to describe things beyond the original meaning.

Keep in mind that the strictest meaning of alliteration is when the consonant sounds at the beginning of words are repeated. However, it’s not as important to differentiate between what is and isn’t alliteration as it is to understand how to use repetition of sound in your writing.

Using Alliteration

So, how is alliteration used for effect? Well, think about repetition in general. When you repeat something over and over, it becomes embedded in memory. Alliteration works the same way, but in this case, sounds are being embedded rather than strings of words, phrases, or entire written works, such as a song or poem. If used correctly, alliteration enhances the rhythm of a piece. It makes a phrase or even an entire piece more memorable.

Alliteration also happens to be the cornerstone of tongue twisters.

Do you consciously use alliteration in your writing? Are there any other poetry terms you’d like to learn more about? Share your thoughts and suggestions by leaving a comment.