Considering and emulating onomatopoeia and alliteration in speech writing
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use alliteration and onomatopoeia in a speech to highlight and emphasise key ideas.
Key learning points
- Alliteration and onomatopoeia are both types of aural devices because they link to the sounds in a speech.
- Alliteration involves repeating the same consonant sounds in adjacent or connected words to emphasise key ideas.
- Onomatopoeia is using words that closely resemble the sounds they represent in order to grab the audience’s attention.
- These devices are useful in speeches because they allow you to draw attention to key ideas/central messages.
Keywords
Onomatopoeia - the use of words that imitate the sounds associated with them, like 'buzz' or 'clang'
Alliteration - repetition of the same initial consonant sound in closely positioned words, e.g 'terribly tall trees'
Initial response - the first reaction or reply given to a statement or stimulus, often immediate and spontaneous
Emphasise - give special importance to something in order to highlight its significance or draw attention
Common misconception
Alliteration and onomatopoeia are devices used only in fiction writing (e.g. stories).
Alliteration and onomatopoeia are both types of aural device because they link to how writers use sounds. This means they are particularly useful for speeches because they are delivered aloud (as opposed to read).
Teacher tip
You may wish to watch examples of famous speeches and identify how they use aural devices for effect.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following means 'words used to refer to people without saying their name'?
Q2.Speeches and opinion pieces can be considered what type of writing?
Q3.'When a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of a number of sentences or clauses.' What device is being described here?
Q4.Anaphora and a refrain are both examples of repetitious devices. Why can repetition be effective in a speech?
Q5.Lucas was given some feedback to make his speech more engaging and make it seem like he is speaking to an actual audience. Which of the below would be good things for Lucas to include to achieve this?
Q6.When given a statement to write about a speech about, what is the first thing you should do?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is onomatopoeia?
Q2.What is alliteration?
Q3.Which of these things should you avoid when using onomatopoeia?
Q4.Which of these things should you avoid when using alliteration?
Q5.What does it mean to 'emphasise' something?
Q6.Onomatopoeia and alliteration are both aural devices. This means they both link to...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Considering and emulating onomatopoeia and alliteration in speech writing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Considering and emulating onomatopoeia and alliteration in speech writing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Non-fiction: changing views unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.