Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 8

Reviewing and refining descriptive writing: alliteration, plosives and sibilance

I can improve a piece of descriptive writing inspired by the painting 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey' by making effective use of alliteration, plosives and sibilance.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 8

Reviewing and refining descriptive writing: alliteration, plosives and sibilance

I can improve a piece of descriptive writing inspired by the painting 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey' by making effective use of alliteration, plosives and sibilance.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Alliteration is when two or more words start with the same consonant.
  2. A writer makes use of plosives when they use the letters 'p', 't', 'k', 'b', 'd' or 'g' for effect.
  3. Sibilance is the repeated use of the letter 's' for effect.
  4. Alliteration, plosives and sibilance can be a sophisticated way to create a sense of sound.

Common misconception

Using onomatopoeia is the only way to create a sense of sound in a piece of writing.

Onomatopoeia can be a helpful tool to rely on in some pieces of writing. However, alliteration, plosives and sibilance are often more sophisticated and more subtle. They also allow for a greater range of sounds to be generated.

Keywords

  • Alliteration - when two or more words start with the same consonant

  • Plosives - use of letters 'p', 't', 'k', 'b', 'd' and 'g' to make a harsh sound; unlike alliteration, these letters don’t have to be found at the start of a word.

  • Onomatopoeia - words which sound like the noise they describe e.g. crash

  • Sibilance - repetition of the letter 's' in successive words

Consider if you have excellent models from your pupils to use to explain what effective alliteration, plosives and sibilance look like in writing. You could use these in place of, or in addition to, the models in each learning cycle.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

Skip video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Myths, legends and stories that inspire', we look at a painting called 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey'. Match each figure in the painting to what they are doing.
Correct Answer:Lady Jane Grey ,trying to find the executioner's block while blindfolded

trying to find the executioner's block while blindfolded

Correct Answer:Lady Jane Grey's ladies-in-waiting ,crying

crying

Correct Answer:a person who works at Tower of London ,guiding Lady Jane Grey towards the block

guiding Lady Jane Grey towards the block

Correct Answer:the executioner ,holding an axe, looking at the floor

holding an axe, looking at the floor

Q2.
In 'Myths, legends and stories that inspire', we look at a painting called 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey'. Which of the following items are in the picture?
a crown
Correct answer: a blindfold
Correct answer: an executioner's block
Correct answer: an axe
a Bible
Q3.
Match these key terms, all useful to the descriptive writing completed in 'Myths, legends and stories that inspire', to their definitions.
Correct Answer:alliteration,two or more words that start with the same consonant

two or more words that start with the same consonant

Correct Answer:sibilance,repetition of the letter 's' in successive words

repetition of the letter 's' in successive words

Correct Answer:plosives,use of the letters 'p', 't', 'k', 'b', 'd', 'g' for effect

use of the letters 'p', 't', 'k', 'b', 'd', 'g' for effect

Correct Answer:onomatopoeia,words which sound like the noise they describe

words which sound like the noise they describe

Q4.
Which of these words is an example of onomatopoeia? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
Correct answer: splash
Correct answer: clap
sing
noise
Correct answer: thud
Q5.
Sibilance is the repetition of the letter 's' in successive words. Which of the following sentences are examples of sibilance? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
"Sssh," he told the group.
Correct answer: She slid slowly down the slide.
The animal hissed at her.
Correct answer: The safest thing to do is slink away silently.
Q6.
Alliteration is when two or more words start with the same consonant. Which of the following sentences are examples of alliteration? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
Correct answer: She wailed against the wall, weeping openly now.
He looked at his feet determinedly.
The sharp blade screeched and scratched against the floor.
Correct answer: The brutal block stood brashly in the centre of the room.

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
is when two or more words start with the same consonant ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
Correct Answer: alliteration
Q2.
is the repetition of the 's' sound in successive words ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
Correct Answer: sibilance
Q3.
are the sounds the letters 'p', 't', 'k', 'd' and 'g' create. Writers use these to create effects in their writing ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
Correct Answer: plosives
Q4.
is when words sounds like the noise they describe ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
Correct Answer: onomatopoeia
Q5.
Which sentence uses sibilance? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
It would never work: the safest thing to do was to remain kneeling.
Correct answer: She heard the stifled sobs from the shadows.
The sharp blade dragged along the covered floor.
She moaned quietly, then supressed her fears.
Q6.
Which of the following sentences use alliteration? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
Slowly, imperceptibly, she straightened up and stared at the executioner.
Correct answer: Without warning, the wailing began.
Correct answer: In the little cell, each lonely figure was left with their thoughts.
Thud. The blade landed on the floor dully, but loudly.