WHy do we use alliteration
To Create Mood
The repetition of "b," "j," "ch," "tch" and both hard and soft "g's" -- all harsh, jarring sounds -- create a discordant, chilling effect in the nonsensical poem "Jabberwocky," by Lewis Carroll. Many of the words in the poem are made up, but the poet's use of alliteration is so effective that a reader can still apply meaning, even without knowing the definition of the words, and almost hear the terrible "Jabberwock" come stomping and snorting to meet his death.
To Create Rhythm
Gwendolyn Brooks' simple poem "We Real Cool" uses alliteration to help establish a firm beat. "Lurk late," "Sing sin," and "Jazz June" are all alliterative phrases that make the poem sound like rap and aid in creating the identities of the pool players, who think they are "Real Cool." Unfortunately for them, their "cool" lives end quickly and on a non-alliterative note, "We Die soon," suggesting the insignificance of their brief and trivial lives.
To Make You Laugh
Every child laughs at the silly alliterative nursery rhyme "Peter Piper Picked a Pack of Pickled Peppers." TV and film titles and characters often use alliteration for a comical effect, such as "Beavis and Butthead," "SpongeBob SquarePants," "Woody Woodpecker," "Betty Boop," and "Mini Me." Names like these signal to the viewer that the show or movie is a comedy. "Pooper-Scooper" is a humorous brand name that employs alliteration -- and rhyme to boot -- to add a light touch to an otherwise gross product, enhancing its appeal.
To Help You Remember
Many idiomatic expression that we remember have an alliterative spelling, such as "dull as dirt" or "the bigger the better." Famous terms that journalists first use also often catch on because of their alliterative effect, such as "baby boomer" and "Nascar nation." Companies choose alliterative business and brand names so consumers won't forget them, such as "Google," "Twitter," "Burt's Bees" and "Tater Tots." Children also remember alliterative phrases easily, so entertainment geared toward them makes creative use of names like "Bob the Builder" and "Mickey Mouse."
The repetition of "b," "j," "ch," "tch" and both hard and soft "g's" -- all harsh, jarring sounds -- create a discordant, chilling effect in the nonsensical poem "Jabberwocky," by Lewis Carroll. Many of the words in the poem are made up, but the poet's use of alliteration is so effective that a reader can still apply meaning, even without knowing the definition of the words, and almost hear the terrible "Jabberwock" come stomping and snorting to meet his death.
To Create Rhythm
Gwendolyn Brooks' simple poem "We Real Cool" uses alliteration to help establish a firm beat. "Lurk late," "Sing sin," and "Jazz June" are all alliterative phrases that make the poem sound like rap and aid in creating the identities of the pool players, who think they are "Real Cool." Unfortunately for them, their "cool" lives end quickly and on a non-alliterative note, "We Die soon," suggesting the insignificance of their brief and trivial lives.
To Make You Laugh
Every child laughs at the silly alliterative nursery rhyme "Peter Piper Picked a Pack of Pickled Peppers." TV and film titles and characters often use alliteration for a comical effect, such as "Beavis and Butthead," "SpongeBob SquarePants," "Woody Woodpecker," "Betty Boop," and "Mini Me." Names like these signal to the viewer that the show or movie is a comedy. "Pooper-Scooper" is a humorous brand name that employs alliteration -- and rhyme to boot -- to add a light touch to an otherwise gross product, enhancing its appeal.
To Help You Remember
Many idiomatic expression that we remember have an alliterative spelling, such as "dull as dirt" or "the bigger the better." Famous terms that journalists first use also often catch on because of their alliterative effect, such as "baby boomer" and "Nascar nation." Companies choose alliterative business and brand names so consumers won't forget them, such as "Google," "Twitter," "Burt's Bees" and "Tater Tots." Children also remember alliterative phrases easily, so entertainment geared toward them makes creative use of names like "Bob the Builder" and "Mickey Mouse."