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Poetry Prescription: Alliteration

9/20/2022

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​​It’s time for another blog post about the use of poetic devices in picture book writing. Today, we’ll take a look at the poetic device: Alliteration
 
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Alliteration is the repetition of a sound at the beginning of words.
​Its effect:
- heightens the relationship between words
- adds a musical quality
​- captures a certain mood through repeated sounds


​Rhyme Doctor Patricia Toht uses alliteration to great advantage in her picture book, PICK A PUMPKIN (illustrated by Jarvis). Listen to the bouncy “p” sounds in her opening line . . .
 
Pick a pumpkin from the patch . . .

Patty’s “p” alliteration sets up a spirited and energetic mood for the pumpkin hunt!
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​​My nonfiction book SWEET DREAMS, WILD ANIMALS (illustrated by Laurie Caple) uses rhyming stanzas to detail the different ways some animals fall asleep. Here is a line about the Magnificent Frigatebird:
 
This seabird soars high in the sky
She glides with grace and flair . . .

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I use repeating “s” sounds to create a softer, peaceful mood to match the feeling of seeing a bird soaring in the air.
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Take a look at the poetry collection FINDING TREASURE: A Collection of Collections by Rhyme Doctor Michelle Schaub (illustrated by Carmen Saldana). In the poem, “Whose Forgotten Treasures?” consider this stanza:
 
Stashed in the attic,
a small shadow box
holds rows of old keys
long lost from their locks.


​​I so enjoy the repeated “l” sounds in Michelle’s final line of the opening stanza. This use of alliteration adds a lilting mood to this piece celebrating old treasures discovered in the attic.
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​Using alliteration adds a wonderful musical quality to your phrases and can also set the tone you wish to convey in your piece.

Do you have a poem or picture book in progress where you can utilize alliteration in a line or two? What type of mood would you like to create?  

​Poetic devices are a great tool in your writer’s toolbox. I’ll see you back here next month.
Happy writing!
 
by Eileen Meyer, Rhyme Doctor

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    ​THE RHYME DOCTORS!

    We're expert picture book authors. We love providing critiques of rhyming and lyrical picture books. In this blog, we share poetry prescriptions and mentor text referrals to help you get your manuscript in tip-top shape! 

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