Alliteration in Poetry and Prose

How To Teach Alliteration in Poetry and Prose

Objective:

To enable students to understand and effectively use alliteration, a literary device, in their writing and analysis of poetry and prose, thereby enhancing their creative expression and appreciation of stylistic techniques in literature.

Introduction to Alliteration in Poetry and Prose

• Define alliteration as the repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of closely connected words. It’s a stylistic device used to create rhythm, mood, and emphasis in both poetry and prose.
• Provide classic examples from literature and poetry, such as “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” or tongue twisters, to illustrate the concept clearly.

Real Life Examples

• Demonstrate how alliteration is used in popular media, like advertising slogans, headlines, or brand names, due to its catchy and memorable nature.
• Show its presence in everyday language and idioms, for example, “sweet smell of success” or “right as rain,” to illustrate its pervasiveness and appeal.

Interactive Activities

• Engage students in creating their own alliterative sentences or short poems, focusing on a particular consonant sound, to practice and internalize the concept.
• Conduct an ‘Alliteration Hunt' where students find and share examples of alliteration from their favorite songs, movies, or books. This activity not only reinforces the concept but also connects it with the students' personal interests.