5 TIPS ON FORMING ALLITERATIVE PHRASES

Alliteration refers to the repetition of the beginning sounds of words, as in “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers”, “long-lived”, and “the fickle finger of fate”.  

Alliteration makes great tongue twisters! They also add lyrical beauty to your writing.

However, note that it’s the sounds of words that must repeat, not the spelling. Thus, ‘honest’ and ‘humble’ are not alliterative, neither are ‘charismatic’ and ‘charming’.

In Toastmasters Competent Communicator Manual project 4 How to Say It, speakers are encouraged to use rhetorical devices to enhance and emphasize ideas. Alliteration is one of the easiest rhetorical device to use.

Here are 5 tips on forming alliterative phrases to add impact and beauty to your writing:

(1) Adjective + Noun

This is the easiest way to form an alliterative phrase.  Take a noun and think of an adjective that begins with the same sound. Pair them up and hey presto! you get an alliterative phrase.

Here are some examples: “clumsy clown”, “sensational speaker”, “towering tree”, “bungling burglar”, “terrified teacher”, “gentle giant”,  “decadent dessert”, “pink panther”, “Magic Mike” etc.   

(2) Adjective + Adjective

Another way to form alliteration is by using two adjoining adjectives that begin with the same sound to describe the same thing or person.

For example, “big, bad wolf”, “that man is crude and crass”, “a confident and charismatic speaker”, "a poised and polished presenter", “the performance was entertaining and enthralling”, “an effervescent and effusive person”, “The storm was unrelenting and unstoppable” etc

(3) Verb + Verb

Another common way to form alliteration is by having two verbs that begin with the same sound.

For example, “He hemmed and hawed”, “the doctor poked and prodded me”, “the girl banged and bawled”, “frame and focus”, “mumbled and muttered under his breath” etc.

(4) Noun + Noun

Having two nouns that begin with the same sound is also a great way to alliterate.

For example, “tips and techniques”, “the next buzz and bing”, “the prince and the pauper”, "Superman and Spiderman" etc.

(5) Adverb + Adjective / Verb + Adverb

An adverb (usually a word ending with –ly) can easily be paired with an adjective or a verb to create alliteration.  

For the former, the adverb comes before the adjective.

For example, “disturbingly delicious desserts”, “exuberantly executed performance”, “painstakingly painted piece of art”, “disgustingly dirty socks” etc.

In the latter case, the adverb comes after the verb.

For example, “perspiring profusely”, “hummed happily”, “stared at me sinisterly”, “laughed light-heartedly” etc.

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By using these combinations of alliteration, you can easily come up with alliterative triads or even your own tongue-twisters!

Round and round the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran! (from Dictionary.com)

Jolly Joni jests about jiving in jet planes jovially. 

When you come across any wonderful examples of alliteration while reading or listening to speeches, write them down in a notebook. This will become your treasure trove of alliterative phrases that you can refer to again and again for inspiration.