Home > English Language Arts Worksheets > Alliteration

Alliteration is a figure of speech where the words that start with a similar sound are placed close together. The words are usually near each other, but are not right next to each other, in most cases. What results from this word placement is repetitive sound. You will find these sound devices used very commonly in poetry. You will also see this consistently used in advertising for jingles and slogans because the harmonic use of words makes it easy to remember. Skilled authors will often use this literary device to draw attention to a certain subject or aspect of a sentence. You will find that the names of many fictional characters exhibit this as well. Beginning writers are often given the advice "Always avoid annoying alliteration," but it, along with the related tools of assonance and consonance, can be a powerful tool to help set the mood and rhythms of your stories and (especially) poetry.

These worksheets will have students identifying and creating alliteration in practice sentences using prompts, excerpts from literature, and given words and phrases. Answer keys have been provided when necessary. Project idea: Have your students try to write an original tongue twister to practice constructing alliterative sentences. Give awards for most difficult, funniest, etc.

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Print Alliteration Worksheets

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Sort and Fill Worksheet

Often the repeated sound is at the beginning of each word. Underline the word with the same beginning sound in each sentence.

Writing with Prompts

Write a sentence that uses this known form, based on each prompt.

Alliterating Adjectives

Add a noun to each adjective to create a phrase that uses this type of word play.

Letter Me Crazy

Practice alliteration by creating an alliterative phrase for each letter provided.

Identification Worksheet

Identify the use of this literary decive in each sentence. On the line, write the letter sound(s) that is repeated.

Creating Pockets of Sound

Alliteration creates both rhythm and mood that can suggest things to the reader. It also focuses the reader’s attention on particular words.

Rewrites

Rewrite each sentence, adding a new word(s) to the underlined word. You may add as many words to each sentence as you like.

In Advertising

As you go about your day, take notice of the alliteration around you in brand names, company names, advertising slogans, etc. It helps us remember all kinds of things because, well, it is catchy.

In Literature

The lines below are the third stanza of the poem "The Witch of Atlas" by Percy Bysshe Shelley. Write down each example of alliteration that you find.

Have Fun With It Worksheet

Alliteration creates a musical effect that makes reading more pleasurable. It calls the readers attention to certain phrases, and the writer or poet can use this to make a strong point, or to connote meaning to the reader.

Using Grammar for Creation

Use various parts of speech to make and impact phrase.

What We Know

We take a full on scholar approach to examining this topic.

The Name Game

art by writing down everyone's name. Then complete the table by writing your sentences. Take turns sharing your sentences with the class. Vote on the best sentence for each name!

A Book

Underline the lines of the poem that employ the use of alliteration.

Four Examples

You will need to have some works available for students to examine here.