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Year 3 English Language Techniques

Alliteration

Alliteration is when words close together start with the same sound. It makes writing fun to say out loud and easier to remember — like "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers!"

What You Need to Know

Alliteration is a language technique where nearby words begin with the same consonant sound. It is used in poetry, tongue twisters, advertisements, character names and descriptive writing to create a pleasing, rhythmic or memorable effect. Note: alliteration is about the sound, not just the letter — so "city" and "sure" do not alliterate even though both start with the letter S.

Key Concepts

Same Sound

Words start with same sound

Rhythm

Makes writing musical

Memorable

Easy to remember

Effect

Fun, catchy, descriptive

Alliteration with S:

The silver serpent slid silently through the sand.

Alliteration with B:

Bright blue butterflies bounced beautifully.

Tongue twister alliteration:

She sells sea shells by the sea shore.

Key Vocabulary

Alliteration

A technique where nearby words start with the same consonant sound, e.g. six sizzling sausages.

Language Technique

A writing tool that authors use to create specific effects — like alliteration, rhyme or simile.

Consonant

A letter that is NOT a vowel — the alphabet letters except A, E, I, O, U. Alliteration uses consonant sounds.

Tongue Twister

A phrase that uses heavy alliteration to make it difficult to say quickly, e.g. red lorry, yellow lorry.

Knowledge Check

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

Which sentence uses alliteration?

Question 2

What does alliteration involve?

Question 3

Which phrase is an example of alliteration?

Question 4

Why do authors use alliteration in their writing?

Key Concepts Summary