Onomatopoeia & Alliteration Lessons
Onomatopoeia
1. bang
2. boom
3. chug
4. crackle
5. fizz
6. hiss
7. howl
8. hum
9. meow
10. moo
11. neigh
12. sizzle
13. thump
14. zing
15. zip
Each one of these words is an example of onomatopoeia. The sound of each suggests its meaning. Better yet, the sound is the meaning. Find the onomatopoeic words in these sentences:
The restaurant is loud with the chit-chat of customers.
- Our new bird tweets a lot in the morning.
- I can hear the buzz of my dad's electric razor.
Got it? Onomatopoeia is a helpful device, but should be used sparingly. If you're describing a forest, beware of the temptation to fill a page with hoots, roars and caws.
Writing Exercise Prompt
1. In a group, brainstorm a list of onomatopoeic words to add to the list above. See if you can come up with original onomatopoeic words.
Alliteration
Alliteration, the use of words that begin with the same sound, is a more sophisticated technique than onomatopoeia. Here is an example of alliteration.
- Oscar, I honor your offering with the official Award of Honesty.
Notice how many 'O' or 'AH' sounds are in the sentence. Of course, this is an extreme example. Remember, unless you're being humorous, most effective alliteration is subtle. By echoing sound patterns, alliteration should add rhythm and beauty to a sentence without calling attention to itself. Take a look at this sentence:
- The Earth is a miracle of majesty.
The alierative phrase, miracle of majesty, has its own poetic quality that neither 'miracle' nor 'majesty' achieves on its own.
A Day At The Circus—Alliteration & Onomatopoeia In Action: Writing Prompt
2. Using an appropriate amount of alliteration and onomatopoeia, describe a day at the circus. Be sure to include lots of details.
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Relationships & Partners and Writing Skills Tips. (A Writing Advice Guide Book
Non-FictionHere I give my opinion on my favorite characters and their relationship with others both as friends and some possible foreseen covers some of these will include fanfiction stories not just show characters of all fandoms not just Sofia the First
