Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of alliteration in creative writing?
What is the origin of the term 'alliteration'?
Which of the following is an example of alliteration?
Who is credited with coining the term 'alliteration'?
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What is a requirement for a phrase to be considered an alliteration?
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Which of the following historical works is an example of alliteration?
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What is not a characteristic of alliteration?
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What is the primary purpose of alliteration in poetry?
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What is the difference between alliteration in poetry and prose?
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Who is the playwright that commonly used alliteration in his works?
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What is an example of a song that includes alliteration?
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Why do companies often use alliteration in their names?
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What is the term used to describe a poem that features alliteration, such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?
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What is the effect of alliteration on the reader or listener?
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What is the term used to describe the use of alliteration in music?
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Study Notes
What is Alliteration?
- Alliteration is a literary device used in creative writing, where words in close proximity start with the same stressed consonant sound.
- It requires the repetition of at least one beginning sound, but the words do not need to continue using the initial consonant.
History of Alliteration
- The term "alliteration" was coined by Italian humanist Giovanni Pontano in the late 1400s.
- The device has been used since the time of the Roman Empire, with famous examples including Macbeth by William Shakespeare and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Identifying Alliteration
- Alliterations are easy to identify because the same sound is made at the beginning of words closely strung together.
- Words do not need to start with the same letter, as long as they make the same sound.
- Examples: "French fries", "First photo"
Alliteration in Literature
Poetry
- Alliteration holds the same definition in literature as it does in common speech.
- Poetry is the most common place to spot an alliteration, which can lighten the mood or set a happy tone.
- Example: Excerpt from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, translated by J.R.R. Tolkien (1965).
Prose
- Alliteration in prose adds a greater level of emotion and feeling from the speaker.
- Example: The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.
Drama
- Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare includes many examples of alliteration.
- Alliteration accentuates the mounting inner tension of Juliet and continues building towards the final scene of the play.
Alliteration in Society and Culture
- Alliteration is used in music to help recall lyrics, sing along, and unwind.
- Examples: "Let it Be" by The Beatles, "Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell, "That's Life" by Frank Sinatra.
- Alliteration is used in company names, character names, and phrases to make them more memorable.
- Examples: Dunkin Donuts, Mickey Mouse, "Dead as a doornail", "Home sweet home".
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Description
Learn about alliteration, a literary device used in creative writing, its history, and examples. Discover how it's used to create repetition of consonant sounds in words.
