SmithWriting Blog

Ah, alliteration. One of my most loved literary devices. Whether placed in poetry or prose, alliteration is like music to my ears.

Also known as “head rhyme,” alliteration is the repetition of the same sounds at the beginning of words—or in stressed syllables—in close succession. Although modern alliteration primarily uses consonants, certain literary traditions, such as Old English and Old Norse verse, use vowel sounds.

Alliteration has long been used for poetic effect. The first verse of Robert Frost’s famous poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” is a great example:

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

Not only is alliteration melodic, it also highlights words and makes certain phrases stick in your head. That’s why marketers often employ this stylistic device in their copy. Take, for instance, the following taglines: “We’ll leave a light on for you” (Motel 6) and “Every kiss begins with Kay” (Kay Jewelers). They’re not easy to forget, are they?

The same goes for names of restaurants (Dunkin’ Donuts), TV shows (“Sesame Street”), music groups (Beastie Boys), books (“Where the Wild Things Are”), and movies (“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”). You get the picture.

As a copywriter, I often employ alliteration in my headings, subheads, and throughout my copy. Clients appreciate it because it connects certain words and phrases that they’re trying to emphasize to their audience.

Speaking of reaching a certain audience … few are as good at this as the late, great Dr. Seuss. His use of alliteration is legendary—and it helps teach generations of kids to read. Here’s one of my favorite alliterative phrases from “Dr. Seuss’s ABC”:

Many mumbling mice
are making
midnight music
in the moonlight …

mighty nice

Now try getting that out of your head!

Filed by rebecca at 2:31 pm under For the love of words