Have you ever been drinking an adult beverage in a colorful bar while discussing a coworker who was recently let go? If you understood that sentence, then you’ve probably used a euphemism or two.

Euphemisms are a figure of speech that have different denotations and connotations. When you read the above sentence, you understood that I asked if you’ve ever drunk alcohol at a dive bar while talking about a fired coworker. But there was something nicer about the first version, right?

That’s the power of euphemisms. They’re a crucial tool that allows us to say what we mean without really saying it — like a secret code everyone’s in on. So, how can you use euphemisms to their fullest potential? Let’s take a look at these terminologically inexact phrases.

 

What Is a Euphemism?

Euphemisms are substitutes. If you can’t or won’t speak directly, you need an acceptable replacement word that’s less emotionally charged. Enter euphemisms.

 

What Is the Euphemism Definition?

To paraphrase the dictionary, a euphemism is a milder expression that replaces a harsh, embarrassing or unpleasant word or phrase. You don’t have to know the textbook definition of euphemisms to use them, but it’s helpful to have a clear explanation when you’re studying this rhetorical device.

 

Why Use a Euphemism?

Let’s get it out in the open: A euphemism is inherently manipulative language. When you use one, you’re trying to create a particular response in your audience while tiptoeing around the truth.

That sounds horrible, right? Well, it isn’t always.

When you think about it, all language is manipulative. We use words to tell people what we want them to know, which can be for good reasons or bad. Euphemisms are the same way — they’re rhetorical devices, just like similes, hyperboles and anaphora. A hammer can build a house or tear it down, and so too can a euphemism enhance communication or disrupt it. The deciding factor is how you choose to wield the device.

 

To Present an Idea in a Certain Way

Euphemisms are frequently used to create a particular “spin.” For example, if you’re trying to convince someone that a situation isn’t so bad, you may use euphemisms:

• “My cousin isn’t firing on all cylinders” instead of “My cousin is dumb”
• “He’s lost his marbles” instead of “He’s having a mental breakdown”
• “I’m in-between jobs” instead of “I’m unemployed”

 

To Disguise Purpose

Politicians are well-known for using euphemisms to disguise their purpose. When a policy provokes outcry, public figures use euphemism to hide the truth:

• “Enhanced interrogation techniques” instead of “torture”
• “Air operations” instead of “military attacks via drones”
• “Extreme vetting” instead of “discrimination against certain refugee groups”

 

To Make a Subject More Comfortable

Euphemisms can soften deeply emotional topics, which is why they’re commonly used in sensitive discussions. For example, when people are grieving, you may use euphemisms to speak about their loved ones’ deaths. This thoughtful approach considers their feelings, which a more direct tactic may hurt.

• “Aunt Mable passed yesterday” instead of “Aunt Mable died yesterday.”

 

What Are Common Euphemism Examples?

The English language contains thousands of euphemisms. Here are a couple you’ve probably heard:

• Birds and the bees: the mechanics of human reproduction
• Correctional facility: prison
• Big-boned: overweight
• Sniffles: runny nose
• Break wind: flatulence
• Economically disadvantaged: poor
• Outstanding payment: past-due bill
• Downsize: fire employees

 

Euphemisms for Sex

Mentioning sex is taboo in many English-speaking circles, as many people see it as a private matter. To combat the discomfort of these discussions, many people use a euphemism. Here are common euphemisms for sex:

• Score
• Have relations
• Do it
• Make love
• Know in the Biblical sense
• Hanky panky
• Hit a home run
• Amorous congress
• Be intimate
• Get lucky
• Roll in the hay
• Go all the way

The above are the most “polite” options, but there are hundreds of euphemisms for sex. Interestingly, some of them are more descriptive than the actual word. If you’re trying to downplay discomfort, make sure you stay away from the more outlandish variations.

 

Euphemisms for Menstruation

Menstruation can be an uncomfortable topic for people who don’t menstruate, and it’s even taboo in some cultures. As a result, some people prefer a euphemism. Here are common euphemisms for menstruation:

• That time of the month
• Period
• Menses
• Have one’s monthly visitor

One thing to keep in mind is that avoiding direct discussion of menstruation contributes to its stigma. It’s a perfectly natural biological function that no one should be ashamed of, so many organizations working toward gender equality encourage people to use the scientific term.

 

Euphemisms for Using the Toilet

Defecation and urination are natural bodily functions, but they’re not exactly pleasant to talk about. That’s why most people use euphemisms. Here are common euphemisms for using the toilet:

• Go to the bathroom
• Use the facilities
• Visit the restroom
• Powder one’s nose
• Do one’s business
• Use the washroom
• Answer nature’s call
• Relieve oneself
• Make a pit stop
• Freshen up
• Visit the conveniences
• Go to the euphemism

OK, that last one isn’t exactly common, but it is real and was even used by Dr. Suess!

 

Euphemisms for Death

Talking about death is uncomfortable for various reasons: It deals with loss, is often connected to painful or traumatic circumstances and is an inevitability we all face. Using euphemisms can soften the reality of it. Here are common euphemisms for death:

• Pass away
• Pass on
• Depart
• Be deceased
• Rest in peace
• Rest eternally
• Lose the battle
• Succumb
• Not make it
• Be in a better place
• Go to Heaven
• Be called home
• Expire
• Cross over

 

When Should You Use a Euphemism?

Sometimes you can’t say what you mean because it’ll hurt someone or negatively affect your reputation. In these circumstances, it’s best to use a euphemism.

Now that you’ve reviewed the many forms and functions of euphemisms, you can use them effectively in everyday life, whether you’re joining the Vikings (“pursuing a career”) or staying on the tractor (“staying retired”). What’s the weirdest euphemism you’ve ever heard? Let us know in the comments below!

One of the most memorable scenes in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 gangster opus “Goodfellas” features Henry Hill showcasing all the mobsters in his crew. The camera glides through The Bamboo Lounge, and Hill makes introductions. Each wise guy breaks the fourth wall to say hello. We meet such luminaries as Fat Andy, Frankie No-Nose, Pete the Killer and — last but not least — Jimmy Two-Times, who always says everything twice, as in “I’m gonna go get the papers, get the papers.” If epistrophe were a person, it would be Jimmy Two-Times.

 

Epistrophe Definition

Epistrophe is intentional repetition at the end of a sentence or clause. This figure of speech is typically used for dramatic effect, as it adds emphasis to the repeated word or phrase and creates a sense of rhythm.

Because the repetition is deliberate, epistrophe (also known as epiphora or antistrophe) has the potential to be a powerful rhetorical device. This puts it in stark contrast to rhetorical tautology, which involves unintended redundancy that weakens otherwise good writing.

Given its mutant superpower to highlight ideas and stir up emotions, you often see epistrophe used in speeches, song lyrics and dramatic monologues. Remember Tom Joad’s “I’ll be there” speech from “The Grapes of Wrath?” You know, the one that goes: “Wherever [there’s] a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever [there’s] a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there…” That’s epistrophe.

Here’s another epistrophe example from “I’ll Be Around” by The Spinners:

Whenever you call me, I’ll be there
Whenever you want me, I’ll be there
Whenever you need me, I’ll be there
I’ll be around

Contrary to this article’s trajectory, not all uses of epistrophe are legally required to include the phrase “I’ll be there.” In the next section, we’ll look at several epistrophe examples that have virtually nothing to do with pop culture. I promise.

Epistrophe Examples

There are several reasons why a writer might employ epistrophe in his or her writing. Here are four of the most common.

1. To Show Strong Emotion

The repetition of a feeling can arouse emotion in the reader and convey great emotion on the writer’s part, too. Those feelings can be positive, negative or somewhere in between. Check it out:

• My toddler’s kindness fills me with pride. His curiosity fills me with pride. His ability to burp his full name fills me with pride.
• Whenever Jake watches a Warriors game, he misses his dad. Each time he tunes up his vintage Chevy in the driveway, he misses his dad. Every time Netflix promotes its documentary about all those elderly people his dad scammed out of their retirement savings, Jake misses his dad.

As you can see from this second example, the words or phrases used to create epistrophe don’t have to be exact matches, either. Here, despite the alterations in phrasing, Jake’s sense of sadness over his absentee (and criminal) father is punctuated by epistrophe.

2. To Emphasize a Point

Epistrophe can be a valuable rhetorical device in argumentative or persuasive writing, as well. Repeating words or phrases is a simple way to stress a point. Ready for more epistrophe examples?

• Tom, I married you knowing that you’re obsessed with Limp Bizkit, and now it’s time for me to divorce you knowing that you’re obsessed with Limp Bizkit.
• This condo building doesn’t have a rat problem. It’s besieged by rats. The weight room in the basement is overrun with muscular rats. I’m pretty sure our next election for condo board president will see Donna in 4G take on 15 rats stacked on top of each other under a trench coat.

3. To Share a Strongly Held Conviction

In this next example, you’ll see that you can also use epistrophe to convey an important belief, ethical position or moral stance:

• Asking your daughter to drive the getaway car was wrong. Robbing that bank was wrong. Making you pay for your own mask was wrong. Loudly and repeatedly calling you by your full name while we were robbing the bank just because I was mad at you this morning was wrong, and I see that now.

4. To Create a Memorable Moment

As politics prove in abundance, repeating words and phrases is often an easy way to produce a memorable moment. From Barack Obama’s “Yes We Can” refrain to Abraham Lincoln’s government “of the people, by the people, for the people,” history is littered with memorable speeches that stick in our brains largely due to a deft use of repetition.

Here’s one more example of epistrophe in action, this time in pursuit of an unforgettable rallying cry:

• No middle school cafeteria is better than the hot lunches it serves, and the students of Reginald VelJohnson Middle School want the best! We’re hungry for the best! We deserve the best! And when I’m elected student body president, we’ll never eat mystery meat again!

 

 

The Effect of Epistrophe

No matter what point or conviction it’s used to drive home or what emotion it’s meant to provoke, one thing remains the same: Epistrophe makes words and phrases stick with you. Just like hyperbole, epistrophe is a way to add emphasis without screaming, “Hey! Yo! I really mean this!” When used well, strategic repetition can create stunning effects.

Which epistrophe examples from pop culture (or otherwise) are your favorite? Do you share my belief that “Goodfellas” is superior to “The Godfather?” (Sorry, Dad.) Sound off in the comments below, in the comments below!

If you’ve ever watched a 20th-century teen comedy set in a high school, then you’ve likely learned the following three things about the SAT exam, whether you took it back then or not:

• It was a huge deal.
• If you didn’t do well on the SAT, you should probably just drop what you were doing and start living under a bridge because without a good score, you couldn’t get into the college of your choice. If you didn’t get into the right college, you’d never be able to get a job, and without a job, you’d have to live under a bridge and eat Spaghetti-Os out of tin cans whenever you weren’t riding the rails with all three of your belongings tied up in a bandana that you carry on the end of a long stick.
• The SAT analogy question section was BRUTAL.

Fortunately, the SAT did away with its notorious analogy definition section in 2005. That doesn’t mean that you can just skate through life being dazed and confused about analogies, though — especially if you want to make a living using your writing skills. Grab your popcorn, crank up the “10 Things I Hate About You” soundtrack and let’s get to it.

 

Analogy Definition

An analogy is a statement that compares the similarities between two things in order to explain or clarify a concept. That last part is what sets analogies apart from similes and metaphors: Similes and metaphors aren’t used to explain anything. Typically, they’re just straight-up description, like if you say your lovable but stupid pet raccoon Todd is “as dumb as a rock” or “Todd is not the sharpest claw on the paw.” That simile and that metaphor, respectively, double-down descriptively on how stupid your pet raccoon is.

If, on the other hand, you said, “Todd is to raccoons what Homer Simpson is to the town of Springfield,” that’s an analogy. It shows instead of tells. It doesn’t directly state that Todd is lovable but dumb; rather, it explains his position within the raccoon population by comparing him to a very well-known fictional character and his relationship to his community.

In other words, if you’re familiar with Homer Simpson, you’re very likely to have a precise and oddly satisfying understanding of Todd the Raccoon’s temperament. You know he’s kind of a doofus and doesn’t often exercise common sense, but you root for that little trash panda nonetheless.

 

What Is an Analogy?

All analogies compare two similar things in order to explain or illuminate something about one of them. They don’t all take the same approach toward completing that task, though.

There are two main varieties of analogy that you can use to hook a reader’s attention. Check out each subset of analogy definition below:

Identical Relationships

Analogies are used to represent relationships. These are those old, straightforward chestnuts — and by “chestnuts,” I mean “pains in the you-know-where” from standardized testing: A is to B as C is to D.

A simple example of an analogy that uses an identical relationship to explain something would be, “Frogs are to amphibians as jaguars are to mammals.” Frogs and jaguars are both members of a broader class of animals — amphibians and mammals, respectively.

Here’s another one: “Good is to evil as peace is to war.” Since both pairs are opposites, that’s another example of an analogy that tidily rests upon an identical relationship.

Shared Qualities

Other analogies get a bit more abstract — and if you’re a writer, parent or high school football coach, this is where all the fun and opportunities for colorful communication begin. Instead of utilizing straightforward relationships, these analogies compare via shared attributes. Here’s an example:

• Marriage is to dating as Kenny G is to Motörhead.

Here, marriage and dating are being compared to two popular recording artists in order to illuminate the difference between being married and dating someone. The analogy posits that being married is like that sax-heavy smooth jazz music you might hear playing over the loudspeakers at your dentist’s office or perhaps a Jo-Ann Fabrics. In other words, it’s fine and tame and kind of boring.

On the other hand, the analogy for dating someone is like the music of a proto-thrash metal band. It’s exciting, it’s sexy and somebody might get a bottle broken over their head.

Right about now, you might be asking: “Hey, why couldn’t you just say that marriage can be dull and dating is almost always more fun?”

You could, but that conveys less meaning and specificity. Also? Yawn City.

Analogies are an engaging and revelatory way to explain things, especially abstract ideas such as dating, marriage, love and how relegation works in English Premier League soccer. Analogies add depth.

Creative Analogy Examples

While there are two main divisions of analogy definition, individual analogies come in all shapes and sizes. As you scope out the examples below, see if you can tell the difference between those that use identical relationships to make their point and those that rely on shared traits.

• The Black-Eyed Peas are to music what Applebee’s is to steak.
• Brenda feels about the keto diet the same way she feels about rollercoasters: they’re fine for somebody else to go on.
• “The Godfather Part III” is to Coppola’s film trilogy what that 2:30 a.m. burrito run is after a fun night of drinking. It sounded good at the time, but nobody really needed it, and it made your roommate throw up in his mouth a little bit.
• Jeff’s girlfriend, who lives in Canada, is a lot like Bigfoot. She has great hair, and we’re pretty sure she doesn’t exist.
• Hawkeye is to “The Avengers” what Tito was to The Jackson 5.
• You know at awards shows how the losing nominees all have to clap for the winner on camera? That’s what attending a bridal shower is like, but for at least an hour straight. You’re in uncomfortable clothes, clapping and smiling at shiny things you barely care about, surrounded largely by acquaintances and dreaming of the juicy burger you’re going to devour on the way home.

Common Word Analogy Examples

If you’re looking for simple word analogy examples that highlight the association between objects or concepts, consider the following:

• Green is to color as square is to shape
• Fridge is to cold as oven is to hot
• Sheep is to mammal as lizard is to reptile
• Birds are to cages as animals are to zoos
• Fingers are to snapping as lips are to whistling
• Apple is to fruit as cauliflower is to vegetable
• Den is to bear as house is to person
• Feet are to kicking as fists are to punching
• Cat is to kitten as dog is to puppy
• Mansion is to big as shack is to little
• Chef is to food as artist is to painting
• White is to black as cold is to hot

 

Do You Understand the Analogy Definition?

Analogies are essentially similes and metaphors that have leveled up. Literature, history and popular culture are littered with these colorful ways of enriching an audience’s understanding and laser-focusing your explanation of ideas, feelings and abstractions.

Got any analogies of which you’re especially fond? How about a favorite analogy definition or high school comedy? Make like “Clueless” and Cher — er, I mean share — in the comments below!

We learn about consonants and vowels in elementary school, but what is a consonant in the context of writing? And how do consonants create consonance, which affects the overall style and mood of your text? What types of writing benefit from a careful selection of consonants?

If you have ever been in a choir or taken vocal lessons, you know consonants as those short sounds that connect one vowel sound to another while crooning your tunes. Singers emphasize open vowel sounds because consonants require specific articulation by stopping the air stream in some way.

 

Are Consonants the Framework of Consonance?

Before we talk about consonance, we have to understand what consonants are. A consonant is a speech sound you produce by blocking your breath with your lips, throat, tongue or teeth. Any sound that is not a vowel is a consonant. When speaking or singing, you cannot sustain the sound or control the volume of most consonants. This inability is why vocalists focus on the vowel sounds of words. In writing, all letters that are not vowels (i.e., A, E, I, O and U) are consonants.

Consonance Definition

consonance (noun): A literary device using the repetition of similar sounds, particularly consonants, in close sequence to emphasize specific letter sounds within the words

 

What Are the Essential Elements of Consonance?

You can identify consonance within a piece of writing by looking for key components:

• Consonance is a figure of speech that focuses on repeating sounds. The specific letters you choose are not relevant to this writing method as long as they make the same sound.
• You can place recurring sounds at the beginning, middle or end of your words. The concentration is on the repetition of the sound, not the placement of the letters.
• Consonance can occur in both stressed and unstressed syllables.
• Words containing similar sounds do not need to be directly next to each other. Consonance works effectively as long as the sounds are relatively close to one another in your text.

Consonance Examples

Choosing words with a lilting, lyrical flow allows readers to linger on the fluidity of sound replication, leaving them longing for more. You can use this stylistic device in any type of written composition.

Sentences

Repeating sounds at the beginning of words is a type of consonance called alliteration. However, you can place similar sounds anywhere within the terms and texts when you use consonance.

• A flock of ducks kept quacking back at the dock.
• Sylvester slumped against the wall, slid to the floor and slipped into a deep slumber.
• A flash of light created a phantom glow, framing the fridge.
• Zoey’s amazing days at the zoo include lizards, zebras and chimpanzees.
• I wish we had fresh fish to put in my dish.
• Fred figures waffles will be enough food for breakfast on Friday.

Poems

Poets often use consonance in poetry to intensify language, add interest, heighten emotion and enhance the imagery. Consider these consonance examples created by well-known poets:

“The Acrobats” by Shel Silverstein

“I’ll swing by my ankles. / She’ll cling to your knees. / As you hang by your nose, / From a high-up trapeze. / But just one thing, please, / As we float through the breeze, / Don’t sneeze.”

 

“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

“He gives his harness bells a shake / To ask if there is some mistake. / The only other sound’s the sweep / Of easy wind and downy flake.”

 

“Poem 315” by Emily Dickinson

“Your breath has time to straighten, / Your brain to bubble cool, / Deals one imperial thunderbolt / That scalps your naked soul.”

 

Literature

Authors use consonance to evoke a feeling and capture the reader’s attention. Here are additional consonance examples in popular works of fiction:

“Moby Dick” by Herman Melville

“Nearly all joined in singing this hymn, which swelled high about the howling of the storm.”

 

“Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare

“Come, he hath hid himself among these trees, / To be consorted with the humorous night: / Blind is his love and best befits the dark.”

“If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark. / Now will he sit under a medlar tree, / And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit / As maids call medlars, when they laugh alone.”

 

Tongue Twisters

In addition to old standbys like “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” and “She sells seashells by the seashore,” “Fox in Socks” by Dr. Seuss contains an entire book of funny-sounding words and consonance-heavy rhymes.

“Bim comes. Ben comes. Bim brings Ben broom. Ben brings Bim broom. / Ben bends Bim‘s broom. Bim bends Ben‘s broom. Bim‘s bends. Ben‘s bends. Ben‘s bent broom breaks. Bim‘s bent broom breaks. / Ben‘s band. Bim‘s band. Big bands. Pig bands. / Bim and Ben lead bands with brooms. Ben‘s band bangs and Bim‘s band booms.”

 

Songs

The rhythmic quality of this literary device makes it ideal for song lyrics.

“Dental Care” by Owl City

“I’d rather pick flowers instead of fights / And rather than flaunt my style / I’d flash you a smile / Of clean pearly whites“

 

“Subterranean Homesick Blues” by Bob Dylan

“Maggie comes fleet foot / Face full of black soot / Talkin’ that the heat put / Plants in the bed but / The phone’s tapped anyway”

 

“We Go Together” from “Grease”

This popular song from “Grease” uses nonsense words to create consonance:

“We go together / Like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong / Remembered forever / As shoo-bop sha wadda wadda yippity boom da boom / Chang chang changitty chang sha-bop / That’s the way it should be”

 

Why Do Writers Use Consonance?

Consonance emphasizes groups of words, giving them a rhythmic quality. This literary method creates memorable passages by producing the desired sound to convey an emotion or mood.

Choosing specific sounds builds the intended atmosphere for your writing. Hard consonant sounds can produce a loud, intrusive or energetic feeling. The repeated use of soft sounds can evoke intimacy, mystery or sleepiness. Repetition of letter sounds with a hissing or hushing quality, like “s” or “sh,” generates an inherent whispering sound when speaking the words.

 

 

Can Consonance Enhance Your Writing?

Understanding these consonance examples allows you to craft sections of your own prose or poetry with a specific feel. Compose your consonants carefully to construct text or lyrics that grab your reader’s consideration, intensify imagery and convey a particular feeling.

When you first saw the word “onomatopoeia,” you were probably taken aback — I know I was. What on earth could it mean, and why does it have so many vowels in it? As it turns out, you’re probably more familiar with this term and its meaning than you know.

 

 

How Do You Pronounce Onomatopoeia?

First, let’s talk about how to say, “Onomatopoeia.” It’s taken from a Greek word, which means that it’s not pronounced the way it looks based on English phonics. Instead, the academically accepted pronunciation is “aa-nuh-maa-tuh-PEE-uh.”

 

What Is the Onomatopoeia Definition?

Now that we’ve mastered pronunciation, let’s talk about the onomatopoeia definition. Simply put, onomatopoeia is a word that mimics the sound it describes.

 

What Is Onomatopoeia?

One of the most interesting things about this literary device is that it can be found in every language, but the words are rarely the same. For example, in English, a heart goes, “thump thump,” while in Japanese, it goes “doki doki.”

This literary phenomenon is also one of the first things children encounter when learning to talk and read, though it’s rarely given a name. Do you remember singing “Old MacDonald” in kindergarten? That song is full of onomatopoeia.

 

What Are Common Onomatopoeia Words?

Some action verbs fall under this literary category. Take the word “ring,” for example. It functions as onomatopoeia when a phone, bell or doorbell rings. “Boom” is another great example, as is the word “buzz.”

Other onomatopoeia examples don’t have any context outside the sounds they make, such as “neigh” or “quack.” The variety of examples can make the concept hard to wrap your head around, so let’s take a look at some of the most common onomatopoeia words.

 

Animal Noises

Almost every animal noise written is considered onomatopoeia. This includes farmyard animal sounds:

• Moo
• Baa
• Oink
• Chirp
• Cheep
• Cock-a-doodle-doo
• Woof
• Meow
• Hee-haw
• Honk

Similarly, zoo noises are another good example:

• Roar
• Growl
• Trumpet
• Squeak
• Buzz
• Hiss
• Bleat
• Snarl

Food Sounds

Food is another area where this literary device flourishes. Cooking yields many sounds, as does eating:

• Sizzle
• Pop
• Munch
• Slurp
• Fizz
• Crunch
• Crackle
• Gulp
• Snap
• Chomp

Sound Effects

You’re probably familiar with sound effects, which are used in movies and TV shows to enhance the story. Before television, they were utilized in radio plays to create a particular atmosphere. Many of these sound effects are onomatopoeia when in written or spoken form:

• Zap
• Thunk
• Whoosh
• Swish
• Rustle
• Splat
• Rumble
• Rattle
• Bam
• Click
• Boom
• Boing
• Creak
• Gurgle
• Squish
• Knock
• Bang
• Wham

 

What Are Effective Onomatopoeia Examples?

Now that we’ve gone over the many different words that qualify as onomatopoeia, let’s talk about how to use them in a sentence. As we mentioned before, many onomatopoeia words are action verbs that can be used just like any other verb in a normal sentence:

• The windows rattled.
• She clicked the mouse.
• The stairs creaked.
• The sink gurgled as it drained.
• Thunder rumbled.
• Bacon sizzled in the pan.
• I love munching on cereal.
• The engine roared.
• The lion snarled.
• I gulped down the glass of water.

However, you can also use many of these terms as nouns to great effect. Consider these additional onomatopoeia examples:

• There was a pop as the cork shot out of the champagne bottle.
• I heard a meow as I shook the kitty treats.
• There was a hiss of steam as the pot began to boil.
• He ate the soup with a hearty slurp.
• In the middle of the night, I heard a knock at the door.
• The window flew open with a bang.

 

 

When Should You Use Onomatopoeia?

The best writers choose words for their specific effects. Onomatopoeia are naturally intense, which means they can be jarring in inappropriate contexts. For example, you want to limit their use in professional emails and reports. When it comes to creative writing, however, this literary device is a useful tool. In fact, fiction writers, graphic novel authors and poets frequently use it to great effect.

For Emphasis

Onomatopoeia words often show up in novels, novellas and short stories to create vivid scenes. They may also be italicized or punctuated with exclamation points. This increases the tension and puts emphasis on an event or detail.

In Comics

Perhaps the most well-known use of this literary device is sound effects in comics. These may be written in bold styles and colors for emphasis. They enhance action as readers become immersed in the story.

In Poetry

Poetry often uses strong language to evoke emotion and craft imagery. Onomatopoeia is an excellent way to do both.

 

Let Your Writing Pop With Onomatopoeia

Have you used onomatopoeia in your writing? Are you interested in incorporating it in the future? Comment below to share your experiences with the BKA team, and make sure to include your favorite onomatopoeia examples.

Try as I might, I cannot always light the fire to inspire my productivity, despite my desire to do so. While managing tasks at hand, distractions often command my attention, damaging my aspirations by amassing catastrophe and calamity. OK, maybe that’s a tad dramatic, but I was trying to create a rhythm to get you interested and help you understand assonance.

So far, I’m guessing you think I’m a bit cuckoo, and maybe that’s somewhat true, but we can discuss that later. Right now, let’s focus on creating rhythmic phrases in our writing, shall we?

 

What Is Assonance?

Assonance refers to placing similar vowel or consonant sounds in close enough proximity to create memorable rhythmic phrases. Typically, consonance refers to the repetition of consonants, and assonance refers to repeated vowel sounds.

Once you understand this literary technique, how it enhances your writing and affects your reader, you will have a powerful tool to create lyrical works of art with the written word.

 

Assonance Definition

assonance (noun): The repetition of similar vowel sounds or diphthongs within words, sentences or phrases close enough to one another to create a discernable rhythm using nonrhyming stressed syllables.

 

Assonance Purpose

The primary function of assonance is to create rhythm. Poets often employ this poetic device to guide the reader naturally through the poem, creating a flowing effect that stresses the intended syllables. Assonance can set the mood and tone of your writing and create indelible passages that the reader will linger on and remember. This approach grabs people’s attention, making your work more attractive and intriguing. The melodic quality of assonance pulls the readers through the words and embeds them in their memories.

 

Assonance Examples

Writers use assonance in all types of works. Here are some examples:

Poetry

You often see assonance in poems due to its melodic nature and ability to evoke a mood.

In John Updike’s poem, “Player Piano,” he uses many literary devices to create rhythm. In the last stanza, he uses assonance to produce an effect on the reader:

“At times I’m a jumble of rumbles,
At others I’m light like the moon
But never my numb plunker fumbles,
Misstrums me, or tires a new tune.”

In “Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats, we experience the effect of this literary device in the first two lines:

“Thou still unravish’d bride of quietness,
Thou foster-child of Silence and slow Time,”

The poem “Travel” by Edna St. Vincent Millay repeats the long “a” sound to create a train-like cadence:

“The railroad track is miles away,
And the day is loud with voices speaking,
Yet there isn’t a train goes by all day
But I hear its whistle shrieking.”

Novels

Authors use assonance in novels and other literary works to create atmosphere, enhance or emphasize a phrase or connect the reader to the prose by devising a memorable flow.

Some examples in literature include:

• “Lolita” by Vladimir Nabokov: “A lanky, six-foot, pale boy with an active Adam’s apple …”
• “In Our Time” by Ernest Hemingway: “There were wet dead leaves on the paving of the courtyard. It rained hard. All the shutters of the hospital were nailed shut.”
• “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” by James Joyce: “Soft language issued from their spitless lips as they swished in low circles round and round the field, winding hither and thither through the weeds.”

Everyday Expressions

Many common expressions use assonance:

• Don’t let the cat out of the bag.
• It was just dumb luck.
• The early bird catches the worm.
• The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Songs

Using assonance in lyrics is an effective way to build rhythms and emphasize words or ideas. Some examples include:

“Something in the Way” by Nirvana

“And the animals I’ve trapped
Have all become my pets
And I’m living off of grass
And the drippings from the ceiling”

“ME!” by Taylor Swift

“I promise that you’ll never find another like me
I know that I‘m a handful, baby, uh
I know I never think before I jump
And you’re the kind of guy the ladies want”

The rapper Eminem is adept at using assonance to structure phrases and add weight to certain words in his songs:

“Without Me” by Eminem

“Some vodka that’ll jump start my heart quicker
Then a shock when I get shocked at the hospital
By the doctor when I’m not cooperating
When I’m rocking the table while he’s operating”

 

Why Do Writers Use Assonance?

Word choice affects many aspects of your writing. Assonance intensifies your language, creating memorable sequences of words that evoke a particular mood, produce a rhythm or cause the reader to notice and make deeper connections with the material. This literary technique creates pleasant-sounding sections that are enjoyable to read. It can enhance the significance of words in an impactful manner by generating the meaning rather than telling you directly.

By calling attention to your words in this way, you can relay greater meaning and weightiness to convey the nature of your poetry and prose more persuasively. Leave a comment below to give us a brief rundown of your ideal examples of assonance.

Often, I find myself addressing my computer directly, begging it to cooperate with me. “My computer hates me,” is a common phrase I mention to people nearby. I also tend to complain about the ton of socks that need folding and the millions of things I have to do. Basically, I complain a lot, using figure of speech devices like apostrophe, personification and hyperbole.

Describing events in a literal way can be dry and uninteresting. Using figures of speech communicates deeper meaning to deliver more expressive imagery to the listener or reader. In this way, writers and speakers can suggest visuals, create rhetorical effects or produce vivid ideas.

 

What Is Figure of Speech?

A figure of speech involves using language in a unique way to paint a distinct picture for the reader. This literary device can be in the form of a phrase or a single word. The intended meaning differs from its ordinary meaning to create an enhanced experience.

 

Figure of Speech Definition

figure of speech (noun): a word or phrase that intentionally deviates from its literal meaning to produce a rhetorical effect, emphasize or embellish language or create a striking impression.

 

Why Do Writers Use Figures of Speech?

A skilled writer will use a figure of speech to develop a more memorable description, create an unforgettable impression or convey a specific atmosphere or feeling. Figures of speech communicate information in a more lively and colorful way. These figurative language tools effectively bring words to life, taking readers on a journey through the writer’s intent.

A figure of speech can:

• Add richness to descriptions or events
• Enhance understanding through the use of comparisons
• Develop striking imagery
• Communicate abstract or complex ideas
• Elicit emotion
• Connect ideas that do not have an apparent relationship
• Create memorable sections of prose
• Make the content more relatable and enjoyable

 

Figure of Speech Examples

 

Conversational

People often use figures of speech in everyday conversation.

Hyperbole: Exaggerating to highlight a feature or quality

• My backpack weighs a ton.
• I’ll die if I can’t go to the concert.
• That guy is older than dirt.

Oxymoron: Connecting two opposing ideas

• small crowd
• controlled chaos
• original copy
• deafening silence
• clearly confused

Pun: Using words that have similar sounds or applications to create a double meaning

• This vacuum sucks.
• Make like a tree and leave.
• Some bunny loves you.
• Crabs don’t share because they are shellfish.

Understatement: Expressing less emotion than expected to create an effect or show irony

• A person who gets 100% on an exam saying, “I think I did OK.”
• Someone who crashes a car stating, “I put a few scratches on it.”
• Describing below zero weather as “a little chilly.”

Verbal paradox: Using contradictory statements to reveal a truth

• All I know is I know nothing.
• Less is more.
• You make money by spending it.
• The only constant is change.

Euphemism: Replacing harsh phrases with more pleasant words

• Our organization is going to have to let you go.
• My grandpa is over the hill.
• I need to powder my nose.

 

Writing

Writers employ figures of speech in their work for many reasons.

Simile: Connecting two things with comparison words

• busy as a bee
• cute as a kitten
• run like the wind
• grows like a weed

Metaphor: Comparing things without comparison words

• drowning in a sea of paperwork
• rollercoaster of emotions
• time is a thief

Personification: Attributing human characteristics to an object

• The sunlight danced across the lake.
• That piece of pizza is calling my name.
• The flowers nodded in the breeze.

 

Literature

Some figure of speech examples found in works of literature include the following:

Personification 

William Wordsworth, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”

“A host, of golden daffodils; / Beside the lake, beneath the trees, / Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”

 

Alliteration

Toni Morrison, “Sula“

“It was a fine cry – loud and long – but it had no bottom, and it had no top, just circles and circles of sorrow.”

 

Paradox

William Shakespeare, “Julius Caesar“

“Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.”

 

Understatement

J.D. Salinger, “The Catcher in the Rye“

“It isn’t very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain.”

 

Simile

F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Great Gatsby“

“In his blue gardens, men and girls came and went like moths …”

 

Common Figures of Speech

Figure of Speech	Definition	Example
alliteration	The repetition of the first consonant sounds in a group of words	potential power play
anaphora	The repetition of words at the beginnings of a sequence of clauses	“So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from …” (Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have a Dream” speech)
antithesis	A rhetorical device that pairs contrasting ideas by using parallel structure	No guts, no glory
apostrophe	Directly addressing someone or something that is not present	“O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” (Shakespeare, “Romeo and Juliet“)
assonance	The repetition of vowel sounds within lines of text	Go slow over the road
chiasmus	A rhetorical figure in which words or concepts repeat in reverse order	“Pleasure’s a sin, and sometimes sin’s a pleasure.” (Lord Byron, “Don Juan”)
euphemism	Figurative language used to replace an unpleasant expression with an agreeable one	passed away
hyperbole	Intentional exaggeration	Her smile was a mile wide.
irony	Conveying meaning by using language that typically signifies the opposite	Saying, “What a lovely day!” during a hurricane.
litotes	A form of verbal irony using understatement	He’s no spring chicken.
metaphor	A comparison by using one word in place of another	This room is a pigsty.
metonymy	Substitution for a name or attribute of a thing or concept	Referring to the American administration as “The White House”
onomatopoeia	Words that sound like their meaning	hiss, sizzle, crack
oxymoron	A self-contradicting statement	definite possibility
paradox	A seemingly contradictory statement that also conveys truth	This is the beginning of the end.
personification	Giving human characteristics to something nonhuman	The wind howled.
pun	A play on words using words that sound similar or convey two possible meanings	I’m a baker because I knead the dough.
simile	A direct comparison of two things using comparison words, such as, “like” or “as”	You were as brave as a lion.
synecdoche	A figure of speech in which a part represents the whole or vice versa	Referring to a vehicle as “wheels.”
understatement	A device in which something is made to seem less important than it is	Saying you “lost a couple of dollars” after losing thousands in a poker game.

 

What Are the Types of Figures of Speech?

There are numerous kinds of figurative language that are figures of speech. Scholars divide the many forms into two primary categories: tropes and schemes.

 

Tropes

A literary trope utilizes figurative language to create an artistic image. It originates from the Greek word “trepein,” which means “to turn, to alter, to change.” Tropes change the usual meaning of words to convey a vivid picture or description. Below is the full list of literary tropes.

accismus	allegory	allusion	ambiguity	anacoenosis
analogy	anapodoton	antanaclasis	anthimeria	anthropomorphism
antimetabole	antiphrasis	antistasis	antonomasia	aphorism
apologia	aporia	apophasis	appositive	apostrophe
archaism	auxesis	bathos	burlesque metaphor	catachresis
cataphora	categoria	cliche	circumlocution	congeries
correctio	dehortatio	denominatio	diatyposis	double negative
dirimens copulatio	distinctio	dyphemism	dubitatio	ekphrasis
epanorthosis	encomium	enumeratio	epicrisis	epiplexis
epitrope	erotema	erotesis	euphemism	grandiloquence
exclamation	humor	hyperbation	hyperbole	hypocatastasis
hypophora	Hysteron proteron	illeism	innuendo	inversion
irony	litotes	malapropism	meiosis	memento verbum
merism	metalepsis	metaphor	metonyymy	negative question
neologism	nosism	non sequitur	occupatio	onomatopoeia
oxymoron	par’hyponoian	parable	paradiastole	paradox
paraprosdokian	paralipsis	parody	paronomasia	pathetic fallacy
periphrasis	personification	pleonasm	pareteritio	procatalepsis
proslepsis	prothesis	proverb	pun	redundancy
rhetorical question	satire	sensory detail	sesquipedalianism	simile
snowclone	style	superlative	syllepsis	syncatabasis
synchoresis	synecdoche	synesthesia	tautology	transferred epithet
truism	tricolon diminuens	tricolon crescens	verbal paradox	verba ex ore
verbum volitans	zeugma	zoomorphism

 

Schemes

Schemes change word order, patterns, syntax, sounds or letters instead of altering the meanings of words or phrases. Below is the full list of literary schemes.

accumulation	adnomination	alliteration	adynaton	anacoluthon
anadiplosis	anaphora	anastrophe	anti-climax	anthimeria
antimetabole	antirrhesis	antistrophe	antithesis	aphorismus
aposiopesis	apposition	assonance	asteismus	asterismos
asyndeton	cacophony	cataphora	classification	chiasmus
climax	commoratio	conduplicatio	conversion	consonance
correlative verse	diacope	dubitatio	dystmesis	ellipsis
elision	enallage	enjambment	epanalepsis	epanodos
epistrophe	epizeuxis	euphony	half rhyme	hendiadys
hendiatris	homeoptoton	homeoteleuton	homographs	homonyms
homophones	hypallage	hyperbaton	hyperbole	hypozeuxis
hysteron proteron	isocolon	internal rhyme	kenning	litotes
merism	mimesis	onomatopoeia	paradiastole	parallelism
paraprosdokian	paremvolia	parenthesis	paroemion	parrhesia
pleonasm	polyptoton	polysyndeton	pun	rhythm
sibilance	sine dicendo	solecism	spoonerism	superlative
synathroesmus	syncope	symploce	synchysis	synesis
synecdoche	synonymia	tautology	tmesis	zeugma

 

Use Figure of Speech To Create Dynamic Prose

With so many figure of speech examples, you are sure to find a way to craft engaging works that leap off the page and hook the reader with the penetrating power of carefully chosen prose.

Leave a comment and tell us which figure of speech techniques you use in your writing or everyday life. We are all ears!

Have you ever heard someone say something so clever that you had to go back and have it repeated so it could really sink in? Maybe you spent the next few days thinking about the statement, trying to understand the meaning, knowing it would make a profound difference in your life if you could just grasp its meaning? Well, that definitely wasn’t a truism!

Truisms are so commonplace you really don’t think about them. These figures of speech are statements that immediately make sense once they come out of someone’s mouth, regardless of the situation or circumstance you find yourself in. They’re perfectly relatable, yet interestingly boring.

Although a truism wouldn’t be considered too clever, it can be fun. As you learn more about truisms, think of some that might apply to your life. You might end up having a good laugh!

Truism Definition

What’s a simple truism definition?

A truism is a clearly true statement, with nothing interesting added, and requiring no additional thought.

 

What Is a Truism?

Truisms often sound profound, but they are actually pretty straightforward. As we break down the definition of a truism, you’ll quickly realize it doesn’t take much to answer the question, “What is a truism?”

First, nobody will question the validity of a truism because it’s obvious that the statement is true; the truth is the truth.

Second, it doesn’t require the addition of anything interesting to the original true statement because it’s so self-explanatory; it’s clear as water.

Finally, nobody has to put any additional thought into the statement because it just makes sense the way it is; it is what it is. Fortunately, this definition makes it easy to spot a truism whether you hear it during a conversation or read it in a book.

 

What Are Some Truism Examples?

One of my favorite truism examples comes from my grandma. During my dating years, she used to always say, “There’s a lid for every pot!” It got frustrating hearing that every time I broke up with someone, but she was right! I eventually found the lid I was looking for, and I must say I never thought a lid could look so good! Some other examples of truisms that may sound familiar to you are:

• Some things don’t ever change.
• If you haven’t died, you’re still alive.
• Success comes from success.
• If you always have at least one dollar, you will never be completely broke.
• Every journey begins with the first step.
• You’ll always end up where you arrive.
• If you always know something, you’ll never know nothing.
• There’s no denying the truth.
• If you lose, you lose.
• You get out of it what you put into it.

 

Are There Truism Synonyms?

Some people would consider the following terms to be synonymous with a truism, though the actual definitions of these words vary slightly.

1. Axiom

Most often used as logic or proof in mathematics and similar fields, an axiom is a self-evident principle that typically doesn’t require additional proof to make the argument.

2. Bromide

A bromide is a remark that most people would find commonplace, though its intention is to soothe or comfort someone.

3. Cliché

Not necessarily always true, a cliché is a phrase that people use so much that it doesn’t hold much meaning anymore.

4. Maxim

Holding some truth, but open to argument, a maxim is a key statement used commonly as a general truth.

5. Platitude

A platitude is a statement or remark that has been overused, making it less significant than it may have been originally intended, and is typically based on a moral topic.

As you can see, there are some real similarities between a truism synonym and actual truisms, though there are slight differences as well. For example, the old saying that goes, “Actions speak louder than words,” would be considered a maxim because does an action literally speak? Of course not. We all know what is being implied, but it’s not an obvious truth, so you wouldn’t consider it a truism. To make the same point using a truism, you might say, “Doing is more productive than saying.”

 

Do You Have a Favorite Truism?

Truisms are fun! We hear them all the time without even realizing the statement is being made. Is there a particular truism that makes you laugh? Maybe one that perfectly relates to you or someone in your family? We want to hear about it! Leave us your favorite truisms in the comments below.

Wouldn’t it be great to understand why someone asks a rhetorical question? How many times a day do you ask questions that don’t have an answer? Don’t we all do this in everyday speech? Who knew? Is the sky blue?

You may have noticed I was not waiting for a response to any of the above queries. That’s the thing about rhetorical questions; the questions do not require an answer.

When used effectively, these sassy, confident inquiries can enhance your written and spoken communication by emphasizing critical points, inspiring contemplation or creating a mood. When executed poorly, rhetorical questions may seem rude, arrogant and off-putting.

 

What Is a Rhetorical Question?

A rhetorical question requires no reply. People typically use this kind of figurative language to highlight a point. It may already have an obvious answer, but the speaker asks anyway, using sarcasm for emphasis. It may be a broad inquiry to inspire thinking or introspection or a query put forward in advertising to persuade consumers. Regardless of the intended result, rhetorical questioning aims to produce an effect on the listener, not to gain information.

Usually, you pose inquiries to obtain knowledge. However, this is not the case with rhetorical questions. Because the speaker does not want an answer, many people think this type of figure of speech should not end with a question mark. In the late 1500s, Henry Denham, an English printer, designed a reverse question mark specifically for these questions. He called it a percontation point. People used this punctuation until the 17th century, when it fell out of use. Writers today sometimes choose to end rhetorical queries with an exclamation point or period.

 

Rhetorical Question Definition

A rhetorical question is a speech technique posed to make a point or create a dramatic effect rather than gather information. The questioner does not expect a direct response.

For example, I say, “How many times have I told you that your laundry belongs in the basket and not on the floor?” at least once a day, but I do not want my child to provide me with an exact number. I merely desire that she, please, for the love of baked goods, put the clothes in the hamper already. Oh my gosh.

 

Why Do People Use Rhetorical Questions?

There are various reasons someone may use a rhetorical question. Authors and musicians often use rhetorical language as a style choice to create allure, interest or engagement. During debates, participants may use it as a tool to declare an opinion. Speechwriters use this method to inspire reflection. Marketers use this approach to persuade customers to take action. There are many possible intended objectives, such as:

• To emphasize an idea or intent
• To suggest doubt
• To start a conversation
• To point out the obvious
• To challenge the reader or listener
• To provoke deep thinking
• To impose sarcastic reasoning
• To convey the speaker’s opinion

 

Rhetorical Question Examples

When I ask a household youth, “Do you want to set the table for dinner?” I intend this to be rhetorical. I do not desire a reply. I want the plates on the table already, before the food gets cold, please. When a teacher asks a pupil, “Will you please stop playing with your pencil?” trust me, the teacher does not want an answer. It is best for everyone involved if the children do not respond when parents ask, “Do you want me to call Santa? Do you want to go to bed without dinner tonight? Were you born in a barn?”

Bold and Brazen

When you feel sassy and wish to emphasize your point, you might ask the following:

• Do birds fly?
• Do ducks quack?
• Is the sun bright?
• Are your toys going to pick themselves up?
• How do you like them apples?

Complimentary

You can use rhetorical questions to make positive statements, too. You don’t always need to be so negative. For example:

• Have I ever told you how magnificent you are?
• Do you know I love you?
• Why are you the cutest?
• Did you know you’re the best?
• What would I do without you?
• Why are you so talented?
• How are you so beautiful?
• How is it that you are good at everything?

Moody

Sometimes, people illuminate their current mood with a rhetorical question, such as:

• Why me?
• Will it ever end?
• How should I know?
• What on Earth?
• Why does this always happen?
• How could I be so stupid?
• Who cares?
• Are you kidding me?
• Sure, why not?

Persuasive

Using rhetorical devices is common in advertising. If executed well, marketers engage the audience and convince them to conclude on their own that they need the product or service. Some examples include:

• Do you want to get rid of back pain for good?
• Do you want glowing, youthful skin?
• Do you miss your mom’s home-cooked meals?
• Are you looking for affordable skincare?
• Are you sick of cleaning bathrooms?
• Are you tired of being tired?

Illustrative

Writers use this technique as a stylistic choice to pique the reader’s interest or spur critical thinking. In the following passage from Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,” rhetorical questions illustrate that all people, even those not part of a majority group, are human:

“If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”

In the poem “Harlem” by Langston Hughes, the questions posed are not intended to gain knowledge but rather to convey imagery with inventive language:

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore-
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over-
like a syrupy sweet?

Contemplative

Public speakers use rhetorical questions to create an audience reaction. These proposals engage listeners more emotionally by invoking curiosity and reflective thinking. Rhetorical questions like the examples below introduce an unexpected break from a speech’s flow, sparking interest and spurring contemplation or conversation:

• What are some ways you sabotage yourself?
• Don’t you deserve a day to relax?
• How many times must you suffer the same consequence before you act?
• What is your inaction costing you?
• If the entire world were blind, how many people would you impress?
• Can you imagine a life without any fear?

 

Rhetorical Question Problems

Why do we love asking a rhetorical question? Because using it makes us feel quick-witted, clever and confident. However, you must carefully implement these audacious questions as they can have potentially adverse consequences.

Too many pointed inquiries like this can stifle discussions and engagement in a work setting. They can seem rude or dismissive in conversation. If advertisers do not carefully craft their words, they can turn off their audience. For example, questions like, “Do you want to lose 20 pounds today?” or “Do you want to make fast cash and quit your job tomorrow?” may make a company seem untrustworthy.

Are you entirely over being asked questions that do not merit a response? You don’t have to reply. I am assuming the answer is yes. Hopefully, these rhetorical question examples make sense, and you now have new ways to show your sass, make a point, enhance your writing style and inspire deep thoughts. When masterfully crafted, rhetorical questions strengthen your writing and speech in various ways. Would you have it any other way?

Do you now understand what a rhetorical question is? Do you like using them, or do you find them uninviting? I’m not asking rhetorical questions this time. Leave your answers below!

There’s a certain allure to the art of astutely employing literary techniques such as alliteration. It can be subtle or blatant, funny or beautiful, and as enjoyable to write as it is to read. It’s a technique most often emphasized in creative writing, but it’s also an excellent tool for any type of content title, and you can still work it into more formal content if it doesn’t sound too forced. Best of all, even though you can blog with an open thesaurus to inject as many instances into your work as possible to illustrate your point, much of the best alliteration happens naturally.

 

 

The Alliteration Definition

The early 1600s saw the first recorded use of the word alliteration, which was derived from latira, or “letters of the alphabet” in Latin. Its modern alliteration definition is as follows:

• alliteration (n.): the repeated use of the same consonants or consonantal sounds at the beginning of at least two words in a phrase or clause.

So, wait a second; does “the same consonants or consonantal sounds” mean that my adroitly assembled archetypes aren’t actually true examples of alliteration?

I’m only human, so I did what most humans do when they’re confronted with the possibility of being wrong: I found an alternative alliteration definition that is much more agreeable to my existing understanding. (After all, I do proclaim to possess a prowess with prose.)

• alliteration (n.): the repeated use of a particular consonant or vowel sound at the beginning of at least two words in a line of poetry or prose (consonantal and vocalic alliteration, respectively).

There. Now I feel better.

 

So, Exactly What Is Alliteration?

Alliteration is the process of forming a phrase full of words that all begin with the same letter, syllable, or series of syllables that sound the same. There are two types of alliteration and some other literary devices that are similar enough to warrant a brief description of the differences.

1. Consonantal Alliteration

Consonantal alliteration is a series of words that all begin with the same consonant. For example:

• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
• She sells seashells by the seashore.
• But a bit of better butter will make my bitter batter better.

2. Vocalic Alliteration

Vocalic alliteration is a grouping of words that all begin with the same vowel, such as:

• I acquired an award for my amazing application of alliteration.
• Everybody you’ve ever encountered will be at this event.
• Intelligence and ingenuity in the same instant are infrequent incidents.

There is some debate among linguists as to whether vocalic alliteration is a true form of alliteration, however. I disagree, but all of the examples in this blog that I found while doing research begin with consonants, and I had to invent examples that start with vowels, for whatever that’s worth.

3. Consonance and Assonance

Consonance is the repetition of consonants or consonantal sounds throughout a phrase. For example, “If she love me, this believe, I will die ere she shall grieve,” is a line from the poem “Shall I Wasting in Despair” by George Wither.

Assonance, which is the repetitive use of the same vowel sounds in a series or words, is also commonly found in poetry and song lyrics. For instance, Pink Floyd’s “Granchester Meadows” contains the line, “In the sky a bird was heard to cry.”

The primary difference between alliteration and consonance and assonance is that, by definition, the repetition must be in the first letters or syllables in alliteration, where it can occur anywhere in the word with consonance and assonance.

Alliteration Examples — Adding Poignancy to Poetry, Poetry to Prose and Prose to Permanence

A fictional poet in “The West Wing” TV series offered that “an artist’s job is to captivate you for however long we’ve asked for your attention.” As one of the more stylistic literary devices, alliteration helps creative writers bewitch audiences by adding musicality to their poetry and prose, making it more enjoyable to read and recite. It also carries with it a certain functionality by helping writers hook their readers with clever wordplay.

 

Edgar Allen Poe

For example, Edgar Allen Poe is famous for his singsong rhythms, and “The Raven” is just one of his many works that demonstrate the use of consonantal alliteration:

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, —

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping.”

 

Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein was especially fond of the delightful bounce that alliteration supplied in his children’s poetry; “Standing Is Stupid” is an excellent example:

“Standing is stupid,

Crawling’s a curse,

Skipping is silly,

Walking is worse.”

 

J.K. Rowling

In her books about Harry Potter, Hogwarts, and the wider wizarding world, J.K. Rowling applies numerous literary devices so expertly that college students have used her seven-book series as the subject for theses. Her use of alliteration achieves assorted aims: It adds a poetic flow to the narrative, injects humor into otherwise dour circumstances, and gives young readers mnemonic tools for recall and association.

• “Eyes streaming, he swayed, trying to focus on the street to spot the source of the noise, but he had barely staggered upright…”
• “…vanished from view before Uncle Vernon’s voice…”
• “’Silence!’ snapped Snape.”
• The four founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin

 

Non-English

Alliteration is not necessarily limited to English, either. Consider the following Spanish tongue-twister, or trabalengua:

“’¡Mañana, mañana!’ me llama mamá,

‘Hay leche y pan y papá ya está.’”

Go ahead and run it through an online translator if you wish, but trust me — the English version is not nearly as much fun to say.

 

 

Mnemonics

Old English literature made extensive use of alliteration, and not exclusively for its artistic effect. Poems such as “Beowulf” were passed orally from generation to generation, and alliteration served as a mnemonic device to help storytellers memorize long lines of narrative.

“He was four times a father, this fighter prince.”

According to psychology experts, the repetitive linguistic cues that are the basis of alliteration add a deeper level to the thing we are trying to remember as they are stored through a process called acoustic encoding. Brand marketers frequently take advantage of alliteration’s subtle yet powerful effect on our ability to recall the names of companies, products, and characters, among other things.

 

Companies	Bed, Bath & Beyond Weight Watchers Dunkin Donuts Best Buy
Products	Jujubes Captain Crunch Armor-All Tater Tots Coca-Cola Grey Goose
Alter Egos	Clark Kent Peter Parker Bucky Barnes Lois Lane Bruce Banner
Sports	Pittsburgh Pirates Boston Bruins New Jersey Nets Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl Sunday
Events	Million Man March Golden Globes Beach Blanket Babylon

The Allure of Alliteration

Alliteration is not just for audiences, either. As a writer, you may often come across opportunities to drop in a synonym and smile at your ingenuity. Even if the average reader doesn’t fully appreciate what you’re doing, your fellow wordsmiths will.

I did have a bit of trouble finding decent vocalic alliteration examples in famous literary works. Still, I’m sure my obnoxiously overdone utilization of alliteration throughout this blog has made its execution excruciatingly evident.

Can you recall any famous passages that make use of vocalic alliteration? Share your favorite all-time example of any type of alliteration in the comments!