4.9 Special Effects and Patterns for Poems

Alliteration Practice

Alliteration can make poetry more interesting and memorable, especially when recited out loud. It’s a fun play of words that brings out the imagination of the writer and the reader. 

Do the following lines / phrases have alliteration?

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before... (From The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe)

Answer Yes. deep / darkness / doubting / dreaming / dreams / dared / dream

Marvelous mouth-watering melting moments... 

Answer Yes. All of the words start with "m" and have the same starting sound.

A winter blanket
covers the Earth in repose
but only a dream

Answer No alliteration.

At history I'm hopeless.
At spelling I stink.
In music I'm useless.
From science I shrink.

(Copyright © 2007 Kenn Nesbitt - All Rights Reserved - From www.poetry4kids.com)

Answer Yes. history / hopeless spelling / stink, science / shrink