| Before you begin: -Work through this booklet at your own pace without rushing. -Read each box carefully before you try the activities. -Look back at the examples if you get stuck. -Read your sentences out loud. These techniques are all about how language SOUNDS. |
★ Why do writers use these techniques?
The three techniques in this booklet are different from similes and metaphors. They do not create a picture, but instead they make writing more memorable, more persuasive and more powerful by playing with the SOUND and PATTERN of words.
Think about adverts, speeches and slogans you remember. They often stick in your head because of techniques like these.
Look at the difference:
| Plain sentence | With a technique |
| Our chips are tasty. | Perfect, piping-hot, proper chips. |
| We must act. | We must act now. We must act together. We must act today. |
1 Alliteration
| What is alliteration? Alliteration is when two or more words close together begin with the same sound. It is about the SOUND at the start of the word, not always the same letter. For example, “phone” and “fan” alliterate because they both start with a “f” sound. |
Examples
- The slippery snake slid silently.
- Big, bold and brave.
- Coca-Cola, PayPal, Krispy Kreme (lots of brands use it!)
- The wild wind whipped through the woods.
| Top tip: Say it out loud. If you can hear the same sound being repeated at the start of the words, it is alliteration. |
Activity 1.1 – Spot the alliteration
Underline the words that alliterate in each sentence.
- The cool, clear water ran over the rocks.
- Five funny frogs sat on a log.
- Dangerous, deadly and dark.
- The dog ran across the field.
- She sells seashells by the seashore.
| One of these sentences does NOT contain alliteration. Which one? Write the number here: ______ |
Activity 1.2 – Make your own
Write a sentence or phrase that alliterates using each starting sound. Be as creative as you like!
1. Words starting with “s”: ________________________________________
2. Words starting with “b”: ________________________________________
3. Words starting with “m”: ________________________________________
Activity 1.3 – Why did the writer use it?
Remember: spotting a technique is only the start. At GCSE you must explain the EFFECT. Alliteration can make a phrase catchy and memorable, or the repeated sound can copy a noise or feeling.
| Example Alliteration: “The soft snow settled silently.” Effect: The repeated soft “s” sound is gentle and quiet, almost like a whisper. It helps the reader to imagine the calm, peaceful silence of the falling snow. |
Your turn! Read each example and explain the effect of the repeated sound.
a) “The crashing, crunching cars collided.”
What sound is repeated? How does the hard “c” sound match what is being described?
____________________________________________________________________
b) “Best. Burgers. In. Britain.” (an advert slogan)
Why might a company use alliteration in a slogan? What effect does it have on the customer?
____________________________________________________________________
| ★ Challenge: Invent an alliterative slogan for a new chocolate bar. Then, explain in one sentence why alliteration makes it memorable. __________________________________________________________________ |
2 Repetition
| What is repetition? Repetition is when a writer deliberately repeats a word or phrase to make a point stronger and to make it stick in the reader’s mind. The key word is deliberately – a good writer repeats words on purpose for effect. |
Examples
- “Never, never, never give up.”
- “It was a long, long way home.”
- “Education, education, education.” (a famous political slogan)
- “Run! Run as fast as you can!”
| Top tip: Repetition is one of the most powerful tools in persuasive writing and speeches. It hammers the message home so the audience cannot forget it. |
Activity 2.1 – Spot the repeated word
Circle the word or phrase that is repeated in each example.
- “We will fight in the streets. We will fight on the hills. We will never surrender.”
- “So many books, so many places, so many people to meet.”
- “The rain fell harder and harder and harder.”
- “Help us today. Help us tomorrow. Help us change the world.”
Activity 2.2 – Add repetition for effect
Rewrite each plain sentence to include repetition. Make the message stronger.
| Example: Plain – “We need your help.” With repetition – “We need your help. We need it now. We need it desperately.” |
1. Plain: “This town deserves better.”
Your version: __________________________________________________________
2. Plain: “I was tired.”
Your version: __________________________________________________________
Activity 2.3 – Why did the writer use it?
| Example Repetition: “I waited and waited and waited, but he never came.” Effect: Repeating “waited” three times makes the reader feel just how long and painful the wait was. It emphasises the writer’s frustration and disappointment, as if time was dragging on forever. |
Now explain the effect of these examples.
a) “It is wrong. It is wrong to ignore the homeless. It is wrong to walk past.”
Why does repeating “it is wrong” make this more persuasive?
____________________________________________________________________
b) “The house was dark. Dark rooms, dark corners, dark shadows everywhere.”
What atmosphere does repeating “dark” create for the reader?
____________________________________________________________________
| ★ Challenge: Write the opening of a speech persuading people to recycle. Use repetition to make your message powerful, then explain why you chose to repeat that word. __________________________________________________________________ |
3 Triplets (the Rule of Three)
| What is a triplet? A triplet is when a writer lists three words, phrases or ideas together for effect. It is also called the “rule of three”. Three is a special number as it feels complete and is satisfying to read or hear. Two feels too few, four feels too many, but three feels just right. |
Examples
- “Blood, sweat and tears.”
- “It was cold, wet and miserable.”
- “Stop, look and listen.”
- “Friends, family and freedom.”
| Top tip: Triplets are everywhere – in speeches, adverts and stories. Notice how a triplet can also use alliteration at the same time, like “ready, willing and able”. Writers often combine techniques! |
Activity 3.1 – Spot the triplet
Underline the three words or ideas that make up the triplet in each sentence.
- The beach was hot, sunny and crowded.
- She packed her bag, locked the door and left.
- Our holidays are cheap, cheerful and unforgettable.
- He was brave, loyal and kind.
Activity 3.2 – Complete the triplet
Add a third word or idea to complete each triplet. Try to make it sound balanced.
1. The room was cold, empty and __________________________________________
2. We need food, water and ______________________________________________
3. A good teacher is patient, fair and ________________________________________
4. The city was loud, busy and ____________________________________________
Activity 3.3 – Why did the writer use it?
| Example Triplet: “Our planet is dying, suffering and crying out for help.” Effect: Listing three dramatic ideas builds up the pressure and makes the problem feel serious and urgent. The rhythm of three makes the sentence powerful and persuasive, pushing the reader to take action. |
Now explain the effect of these examples.
a) “This product is faster, cheaper and better than the rest.”
Why is a triplet useful in an advert? What does it make the customer think?
____________________________________________________________________
b) “The storm destroyed homes, ruined lives and shattered the town forever.”
How does listing three things build up the sense of disaster?
____________________________________________________________________
| ★ Challenge: Write a triplet to describe your perfect weekend. Bonus points if you can use alliteration in it too! Then explain its effect. __________________________________________________________________ |
★ Putting it all together
Now you have learned all three techniques, let’s check if you can identify and use them.
Final check – Name that technique
Write A (alliteration), R (repetition) or T (triplet) next to each sentence.
| Sentence | A / R / T |
| We tried. We tried again. We tried until we won. | |
| The wet, windy weather wrecked the picnic. | |
| She was tired, hungry and cold. | |
| He grabbed his coat, his keys and his bag. | |
| Stop the cuts. Stop the waste. Stop the lies. | |
| The big, brown bear bounded forward. |
Big finish – Your own persuasive paragraph
Write a short paragraph (4–6 sentences) persuading people to visit your town or city. You MUST include:
- at least one example of alliteration
- at least one example of repetition
- at least one triplet (rule of three)
When you finish, underline each technique and label it A, R or T.
____________________________________________________________________
✓ How did I do?
Tick the box that is true for you now. Be honest as it helps you know what to revise.
| I can… | Not yet | Getting there | Confident |
| …explain what alliteration is and spot it. | |||
| …explain what repetition is and spot it. | |||
| …explain what a triplet (rule of three) is and spot it. | |||
| …write my own examples of all three. | |||
| …explain the EFFECT of a technique on the reader. |
| Well done for completing this booklet! These techniques are especially powerful in persuasive writing and speeches, so listen out for them in adverts and on the news. Remember: explaining WHY a writer used a technique is what earns the top marks! |