Alliteration: What it is and how to use it

“Her wagoner, a small grey-coated gnat.” — Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet; Act 1, Scene 4*

Alliteration is a literary device where you repeat the same consonant sound at the beginning of words that are close together. Here’s what it is and how you can use it in English.

What it is

• Repetition of consonant sounds: It’s about the sound, not just the letter. So, “cat” and “kite” alliterate, but “cat” and “cell” do not, as the “c” sounds are different.  
• Initial sounds: The sound is typically at the beginning of the words.  
• Close proximity: The words need to be near each other for the effect to be noticeable.

How to use it

• To create a musical effect: Alliteration adds a rhythmic quality to your writing, making it more pleasing to the ear.  
• To emphasize certain words: By repeating a sound, you draw attention to the words that contain it.  
• To create a mood or atmosphere: Certain sounds can evoke specific feelings. For example, “s” sounds can create a sense of mystery or stealth.  
• In various forms of writing
  • Poetry: Alliteration is a common feature in poetry, used to enhance the sound and rhythm of verses.  
  • Prose: It can add emphasis and style to any type of writing, including stories, essays, and articles.  
  • Speeches: Alliteration can make speeches more memorable and engaging.  
  • Advertising and branding: It’s often used in brand names and slogans to make them catchy and easy to remember (e.g., “Dunkin’ Donuts”).  
  • Tongue twisters: alliteration is the main device used in tongue twisters.  

Examples

• “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”  
• “She sells seashells by the seashore.”
• “Wild and woolly.”  

When using alliteration, try not to overdo it. Too much alliteration can sound forced or unnatural.

*Explanation of the Shakespeare quote

This line is part of Mercutio’s famous Queen Mab speech, describing the tiny driver of the fairy queen’s chariot. The repetition of the “g” sound in “grey-coated gnat” is an example of alliteration. It creates a crisp, playful rhythm that mirrors the whimsical, fantastical nature of the imagery Shakespeare is crafting here.

More literary devices to learn about:

• Alliteration
• Allusion
• Hyperbole
• Idioms
• Metaphor
• Onomatopoeia
• Personification
• Simile

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