How to use alliteration, assonance & consonance to write better poems

Become a poetry geek: j.mp/poetryGeek (subscribe link)
Alliteration, assonance and consonance is just a way of describing the repetition of particular sounds, but the effect they can have on your poem can be extraordinary. They can draw attention to specific sounds in a way that creates a whole new layer of meaning and sensory experience to your writing. Watch this video to learn the tricks of incorporating plosive, fricative, nasal and sibilant sounds into your writing to create synesthetic experiences for your readers!

[@Feejakka]

Please don’t apologise for the depth, length and complexity of your content! It is so GOOD to listen as you elucidate more advanced poetry techniques, and it’s super helpful for those of us who have been writing poetry for a while but still want to learn & open up new ground (which means sifting through 100s of articles full of “tips for beginner poets” just to find 1 with new & helpful info 😅). So thank you!

[@davidpoore3718]

The Rising Phoenix The Phoenix lying down In the ashes of my mind Shall intersperse his tears To allow us both to rise (I know a rising Phoenix is a cliché but I think this poem still has potential. Please let me know what you think)

[@destinyforreal9744]

vowels are bridges

[@bellamybug]

Alliteration is the simplest aspect of poetry, yet one of the most effective. Thanks for teaching me about these subjects, I've learned something new today. :)

[@poesho]

Thanks, Oliver.

[@jessezwolle2000]

I think imagery and contrast are more effective

[@poesho]

+j vandenberg I think I basically agree with you there, but sound is just another tool in the tool box. You cut it to shape with a nice sharp saw (imagery) but you still sand it smooth with the lesser tools to finesse it

[@jessezwolle2000]

Poetry Show True but more read it in their head and don't really notice it unless they go over it a second time out loud

[@jessezwolle2000]

Poetry Show Oh hey also I do you have anything where I can contact you? I am in two poetry communties and I wanted to discuss something

[@mariam5605]

Nobody 2020?sad:( any more current videos from Poetry Show? Outstanding video, wonderful teacher!! Please more videos!! thanks

[@saiearth]

2021 hehe

[@TheJohncoyle]

This is not at all “waffly”, rather it is extremely informative and helpful and a real great aid for understanding and writing poetry. So, thank you very much and keep up the good work- it is much appreciated.

[@readwordsonpaper1782]

3:28 ". . .particular part of the poem." I see what you did there.

[@mahadialam6617]

What

[@simpkinsjay]

Alliteration and assonance my guy. Keep up

[@allyallyable]

This is by far more interesting than my uni lecturer. More videos please!! Fantastic.

[@JaquavisLamar]

+Alexandra Minards I know right

[@poesho]

+Alexandra Minards thanks :) I've had to take a longer break than I expected, but I'll be back in a couple of months

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

Oh. That’s perfect. Even the words’ mechanics match their meaning. ‘Vowel’ is made of open-mouth sounds. ‘Consonant’ is made of closing-mouth sounds.

[@Niko__0083]

Thank you so much. I'm trying to become a better writer and your videos help me a lot. I'm grateful this channel exists in the the realm of KZbin.

[@sherlockholmeslives.1605]

6:47 - 6:52 Sounds like Drut the spider from the British animated television series, The Trapdoor, narrated by Willy Rushton ( 1937 - 1996 ) in the late 1980's. Cheers - Mike.

[@eulalieleigh4274]

Thank You so much for explaining these aspects of poetry clearly in 20minutes. I gave my professor over 40 hours and he never got to the base line, simplistic explanation you just gave. Thank You Again!!!!

[@beatsbyblu6374]

i definitely say fricative when i hit my toe on something

[@sw0745]

Anybody know of the "kiki / oobar" study he refers to around 9 minutes in? I'd like to have a proper citation

[@Error-zp5cp]

Just type "Kiki Booba shape" on the internet you'll find it

[@sw0745]

@@Error-zp5cp thanks, I was looking for "oobar" and I couldnt find it lol

[@keyvanrahaei5448]

thank you, helped a lot!!!

[@alinaakmal8640]

Damn, he is underrated! This needs much more recognition.

[@fromyourheadtoyoursoul8785]

Check out some of my POEMs when you get a chance let me know what you think

[@theprobtrader]

#TechStellar I want to become a poet. I am searching for publishers to publish my poems. One of my poems is here. Tell me what do you think about it. My Psyche I have one body, diverse personalities I oughta take a lateral in a contention But never have I done that without taking on two eyes at piecemeal I chew all conjectures prior to my call I have one brain, diverse minds I should envision one idea solely But never have I done that free and easy My mind drifts like a Falcon in the air I have one faith, diverse beliefs I should ensue one dogma wholly But never have I done that illiberally I contemplate all doctrines equally I have one truth, diverse perspectives The creation is fragmented by mortals creed But never have I done that recklessly I honour the notions of all I have one heart, diverse souls I should pray to God for heaven routine But never have I done that hands-down I question the devil, I question the creator -Somkhang Pansa (I am not an atheist, I am not a blind believer)

[@bleppy6264]

So, what do you do when you write a poem and it naturally has heavy use of these devices? Should I change it so it is more focused, even if I don't think it sounds as good? (I love these three poetic devices and like the way they sound when I write them, but don't know if I'm overdoing it since it's throughout the poem. Therefore, calling attention to things I may not have intended.)

[@SarahCrookall]

Great explanations. Very true that the way words feel also conveys meaning. Thanks!

[@tinaprivitera6669]

So informative. Plenty of examples and repetition so the ideas can be a) properly illustrated and b) sink in nicely. Just making me love the Australians even more.

[@ESLkatastrophe]

You clearly know what you are talking about! Very good insights, I have learnt a lot. Thank you so much.

[@humourlessjester3584]

The sonic devices are what I feel like is forgotten by many amateur contemporary poets that I've read. Great video I'm glad that you are tackling this subject!

[@Zemprophenom]

You are great. Funny, educational, and well made video. Thank you sir, I needed this for my examination!

[@sherlockholmeslives.1605]

Also B is a rounded letter as is the letter O, whereas K is a spikey shaped letter like the spikey shape.

[@noodleperson17]

Fricatively great video. Never heard this stuff before put over so clearly.

[@OlufisayoLydiaOlanrewaju]

Wow! That was a good session. Loved it. Thank you!

[@tonysoextra]

Indeed

[@RedStingBlogs]

This video is so helpful! You're awesome 🤗

[@LiteratureWorld]

Poetic devices: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJLafYqfi9F-gqs

[@deealex6263]

great video,,,you have inspired me .

[@gianimatosss]

This is such a great video thank you!

[@destinyforreal9744]

You should make t shirts kiki and bubar!

[@TPrins-el4dk]

I'm inspired! Thank u very much.

[@poesho]

+T. Prins cool! You're welcome

[@gavinritchie649]

An interesting add-on is the family of sounds. I got it from Mary Oliver's A Poetry Handbook. Letters are used as vowels, semi-vowels, aspirates, liquids, and mutes. Check it out. It opens up a whole new world of understanding. Oliver gives as an example three ways of asking for quiet: hush, please be quiet, shut up.

[@rebeccaoliver7977]

So glad to stumble across this video. So very helpful. This is exactly what I have an incredible desire to learn more about and begin to incorporate into my writing craft. You mentioned this is your absolute favorite area of poetry, I'm hoping to find more of your videos on the same topics. It's always helpful to hear the same topic discussed in different ways. Seeing this video is 7 years old. Hope you're still posting. I'm your newest subscriber.

[@deltacomatso173]

best teacher ever!

[@evannaiw1552]

synesthesia 聯覺

[@BenniFong]

Awesome video and great explanations! THANK YOU 🙏🙏🙌

[@agatapalmer7275]

I really enjoy your explanations, coming from a linguistic background myself. Thank you!

[@sanselozkapici9186]

An informative video from a genuine-feeling educator. I rarely watch 20min videos but did for this one. :)

[@a.f.m.4134]

This was a lovely and helpful video! Glad I found your channel even though it seems to be closed now.

[@artiesolomon3292]

Such a sensitivity to the sounds of sibilants and focusing on favorites with fricatives left me lusting for language parceled in poems.

[@endacollins1]

hi I love and agree with all you have said on this link, I write poetry and projecting the spoken word in poetry for me is a joy I write in a loose rhyme as I feel it helps the flow of a piece and the spoken poem is key it has to sound right spoken to feel correct I have been told my writes have different meaning when they reread which is something I strive for to invoke different levels of that within a piece the following is a single verse from one of my writes would so love to hear back from you have subscribed and thanks "an evaporated cloak of awareness within the cranium of invention a thought provoking dimension",

[@Saturnize7]

Cool.

[@KayodeAkomolafe]

I really am grateful for this. Any links to your poems that convey this?

[@irenesax1028]

I love your sessions. Please start posting again, especially on topics like this one.

[@poesho]

Irene Sax I will eventually - just super busy looking after a toddler these days, so not much time for poetry or video making :)

[@mikefuller6959]

These shows are GREAT! As a poetry fan who is not a poet himself, I think you have a happy but mature style! I hope you see where I am coming from! I will now try and find some of your own poetry on the internet! GOOD KID! Enjoy the Winter, too early for Christmas for me! With Best Wishes! Cheers - Mike.

[@mikefuller6959]

The letter K is a sharper shape than the more round letters B and 0 as well.

[@mikefuller6959]

'Boobar' sounds like 'Boob' and women's boobs are round. Also, the spikey picture looks a bit like the letter K.

[@mikefuller6959]

I love the line from the book 'High Windows' ( 1974 ) by Philip Larkin ( 1922 - 1985 ) "And further off a whiter steamer stuck in the afternoon." If the phrase was expressed literally "And further off a white steamer seems motionless on the horizon as if it is stuck." it makes less sense in the brain than the associative meaning in the brain as expressed by Philip Larkin, as well as being nowhere near as good! Ted Hughes ( 1930 - 1998 ) and Sylvia Plath ( 1932 - 1963 ) became masters at that sort of poetical illiteration! I wonder if Bob Dylan ( b.1941 ) in his song 'Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again' from the album 'Blonde on Blone' from 1966, was thinking of Dylan Thomas ( 1914 - 1953 ) when he wrote the line "She just smoked my eyelids and punched my cigarette." Taken the sensible way around that line is OK but not memorable, but in the way Bob Dylan put it, it trips the mind up and is more memorable and carries vastly more poetical weight and power! Dylan Thomas wrote "A face being smoked by a large cigar." I think fun and playfulness is essential to a very good poet and their poetry!

[@riad_9116]

Thx

[@fromyourheadtoyoursoul8785]

You are awesome from one poet to another keep up the good work☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️

[@bathos22]

WOW! Fascinating content. Thank you🙏

[@dpakholly]

This was the best 23 minutes I have spent in a long time. I watched it twice.

[@cassidyfix2708]

a great reminder. thank you for this. i recommend others to look into an intro to linguistics class to learn more

[@boxfox2945]

😂😂😂

[@dianadevlin3717]

Makes complete sense, I really enjoyed this video, thanks

[@nidhikhetan5787]

Thanks for this informative video❣️

[@Helena-dt6bc]

Masterfully explained and inspiring - thank you so much 😊

[@tonysoextra]

Thanks for sharing with us😊🤙🏿

[@yuvrajkishor5069]

thanku very much, i would always remember ur lesson.

[@tedalexander5263]

Perfect. Thanks!

[@manuelcantu8572]

Amazing! Thanks!!!

[@brilliantwriter4856]

I need visuals

[@kacirigney]

Wonderful!!

[@RJ_OrderOfMelchizedek]

Excellent

[@viciouslamia1000]

brilliant

[@JaquavisLamar]

wow this is amazing

[@poesho]

+Bigpigmouth gaming thanks :)

[@starbird14]

Great Post!

[@poesho]

Thanks :)

[@FeliciaFollum]

I loved this!!!! I haven't really written since high school but have started back with poetry. It's cool because I read and wrote a lot of papers and such in college and just got sick of it. I was an art and humanities student and focused on graphic design and typography...I naturally gravitated toward foreign languages after college. I love various alphabets and wanted to play with the alphabet shapes in my art work...As you can imagine this video is soo up my alley. I love that. The sounds in various languages often have similar shapes. That helped me learn both the Arabic and Hindi alphabets. As an artist it was easy to see the letters the same as I see them in English...People thought I was crazy but this makes it make sense. It also helps with understanding some of the sounds in the different languages I'm studying...Thanks!!!!

[@stephanojiminez2738]

This is simply repetition and rhyming with different parts of words. It has weak meaning I think. My poop is waxy, I ride in a taxi, my smell of spung is sprung on a rung, I gipped on a ladder and ripped out a splasher.

[@mebearcreations]

Thank you so so much for this video! My autistic brain is soooooo satisfied now :) At least, I think it's the autistic part of me, but maybe this is something everyone finds satisfying. Anyway, much learned trough this video and I already hit the subscribe button long before the video ended. I'm trying to wrap my brains around poetry and when I figured out that when I really love a poem it's because of the rhythm and the use of sound. In short, everything you explained about in this video. I found it very interesting to learn about how certain sounds of the letters in the alphabet are grouped and have their own name to describe what they sound like. I can't prevent my brain constantly making connections to what I learned in music (I'm a failed classical musician, which is totally fine by me, because I now know that world would've made me very unhappy, but once in my life I planned to follow a professional education, so I've learned a few things in the progress). Maybe that's why I'm so drawn to the sound of alliteration in the first place. I even started to understand why some words work so well for swearing! :P

[@majaraiahysael7178]

You're so good at explaining sir, thanks the knowledge