ALLITERATION AND ONOMATOPOEIA EXAMPLES By Becky Glass

RULES Proper alliteration is NOT a repetition of letters, it is a repetition of sounds. For example, fish and physics alliterate because they begin with the same consonant sound (f) - even though the initial letters are different. Conversely, tin and thin do not alliterate, because they begin with different consonant sounds, even though they start with the same letter.

Alliteration is NOT just repeating consonant sounds at the beginning of words. What matters is the strongest, stressed syllable of a word. The only consonant which counts is the one that starts the syllable with strongest stress. For example, below the belt is NOT a good alliteration, because stress naturally falls on the second syllable of below, so you would have to alliterate on l not on b. On the other hand, above the belt is a good alliteration, because the stressed syllables both start with b.

A Song from the Suds a poem by Louisa May Alcott Queen of my tub, I merrily sing, While the white foam raises high, And sturdily wash, and rinse, and wring, And fasten the clothes to dry;  Then out in the free fresh air they swing, Under the sunny sky.

I wish we could wash from our hearts and our souls The stains of the week away, And let water and air by their magic make Ourselves as pure as they;  Then on the earth there would be indeed A glorious washing day!

Along the path of a useful life Will heart's-ease ever bloom;  The busy mind has no time to think Of sorrow, or care, or gloom;  And anxious thoughts may be swept away As we busily wield a broom.  

I am glad a task to me is given To labor at day by day; For it brings me health, and strength, and hope, And I cheerfully learn to say- "Head, you may think; heart, you may feel; But hand, you shall work always!"

THE TYGER BY William Blake 1757-1827 Tyger, tyger burning bright, In the forest of the night; What immortal hand or eye Could name thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder & what the art Could twist the sinews of thy heart And what shoulder & what the art Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat What dread and? & what dread feet?at Dare its deadly terrors clasp? When the stars threw down their spears And water'd heaven with their tears, Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lamb make thee? Tyger, Tyger burning bright, In the forests of the night; What immortal hand or eye Dare frame thy fearful symmetry

ONOMATOPOEIA THE IMITATION OF SOUND

Flick, the lights go on, Clap! Shout! The show must go on Screech, bump, the microphone's gone! Click, clack, goes the shoes Swoosh, creak, the curtains open Ding, dong, the bells ring Ting, Tang, the triangles go, "And they lived happily ever after." Laughter, cheering, "encore" the show is done.

Drip drip; drop drop It's raining today. I'm so bored . I want to play. I want to play in the rain. I don't care if I get wet. But my Mom won't let me out. Ho hum!

Splash splash, oops! I slipped on the cement. Splish, splat, crack! I'm really hurt Whir Whir Ambulance!  By seventh grade students.