Alliteration is a stylistic device, or literary technique, in which successive words (more strictly, stressed syllables) begin with the same consonant sound or letter. Alliteration is a frequent tool in poetry but it is also common in prose, particularly to highlight short phrases. Especially in poetry, it contributes to euphony of the passage, lending it a musical air. It may act to humorous effect. Related to alliteration are assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, and consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds. Alliterative verse in one form or another is shared by all of the Germanic languages. In the English language, alliteration occurs in Old English poetry, of which it was a central component. In the Romantic era, it was once more given attention: the Romantics were generally interested in making poetry more musical, and in the ancient heritage of their native languages. Richard Wagner, for instance, used alliteration extensively in his operatic texts. (cf. also Alliterative verse and Stabreim) Contents 1 Examples 1.1 Literary examples 1.2 Common examples 2 See also 3 External links Examples Examples of alliteration include well-known tongue-twisters such as "Round the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran" and "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers." Examples of consonance include "Sparkling...Flavorful...Miller High Life" (advertising slogan for Miller beer). Literary examples Common examples Like rhyme, alliteration is a great help to memory: it is 'catchy', and frequently used in news headlines, corporate names, literary titles, advertising, buzzwords, and nursery rhymes. back to basics balance the books Beavis and Butt-Head Big Ben boom or bust Coca-Cola do or die green as grass hale and hearty Heerlijk Helder Heineken Making magic McDonald's Massacre Monday morning the more the merrier kill the king pay the price peer-to-peer poor but proud sink or swim Super Sonic Surround Sound it takes two to tango watchful waiting Occasionally parents and authors use alliteration in the naming of their children and characters: Donald Duck King Kong Mickey Mouse Minnie Mouse Woody Woodpecker It is also common in the naming of many comic book super heroes: Clark Kent Lois Lane Peter Parker Scott Summers Warren Worthington III Betsy Braddock Matthew Michael Murdock - Matt Murdock Reed Richards J. Jonah Jameson Susan Storm See also alliterative verse Figure of speech Rhetoric Consonance Cynghanedd External links Links on alliteration from the Open Directory Project http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/alliteration.htmlca:Aliteració Search Term: "Alliteration" Categories: Poetic form | Figures of speech | Rhetoric