open invitation no. 9: stack a series of sounds

Posted byRuth AyresPosted incraft

Play with the sound of words by stacking a series of similar sounds.

Let’s have some fun with words. There are a few ways that writers play with similar sounds of words. Try one of these!

Alliteration
Use the same beginning sound three or more times in a row. “Stacking a series of similar sounds” is alliteration, but it’s not the only way to play with the sound of words. Read on!

Anaphora
Repeat words at the beginning of successive clauses, phrases or sentences. Think of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Assonance
Figure out how to put two words with similar vowel sounds, but different beginning consonant sounds near one another. Robert Louis Stevenson, the go-to poet of my childhood, used assonance when he penned, “The crumbling thunder of the seas.”

Epistrophe
Repeat words at the end of a sentence or phrase. Consider the Gettysburg address: “A government of the people, for the people and by the people…”

Rhyme
When the end of words sound the same, then a little magic came.

Repetition
Sometimes instead of similar sounds, you can use identical words. Often I lovelovelove this craft move.

write

Open your blog and write a post. It doesn’t have to be a heart stretched story…it just needs to be written…and shared.

share

Reply to this post, jot a note and paste your URL.

comment

Pop around and visit some other blogs. Leave a comment about the ideas or the craft…encourage and soak up the magic that will find you.

grab an image for your blog

Use one of these images so we can find each other…and you can invite others to share their stories with us!

Offer an invitation to others.

I’m joining an open community of writers over at Sharing Our Stories: Magic in a Blog. If you write (or want to write) just for the magic of it, consider this your invitation to join us. #sosmagic

Published by Ruth Ayres

Unhurried. Finding the magic in the middle of living. Capturing a life of ridiculous grace + raw stories.

28 thoughts on “open invitation no. 9: stack a series of sounds”

  4. https://wordancerblog.com/

    This post is called A Pause for Celebration. I believe in serendipity and I love how it sounds! On April 10th Ruth invited me to post on SOS, and then on May 10th – Mother’s Day – I received an email from a former student, who I hadn’t seen for 36 years! This is the story and poem about my reunion with Henry.

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    1. Why can’t I figure out how to post on your blog directly? This was an amazing, heart wrenching, lovely story about Henry, and such a beautiful ode to his mother and their journey. I loved reading it, and felt the emotion very deeply.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Yes to serendipity! This time came to write the story right when you needed it. Your gorgeous poem made me cry.

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    1. Yes, this world has flipped upside down and in the insanity there is a silence to explore. It’s 4am and I’m right in that now and it’s so peaceful and inspiring to read your poem.
      Thanks

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    2. I wanted to leave a comment, but I could not find a place to do that. Congratulations on starting your blog! May writing fill your heart.

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    3. LOVE! So much about your post was fantabulous. I think, other than you tattoo 😀 my favorite part was your final two lines “Visualization is just that powerful. So, the next time a child you know wants to describe to you all the things she pictured while reading a book, let her rip!” Yes, yes, yes!!! Take time, value the child, listen, visualize …. LOVE. Thanks so much for sharing!
      Molly

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  17. Ok … so i know I’m posting on the wrong prompt, lol! But the other is closed and I wanted to share. Hope you don’t mind.

    I’ve been putting my eyes on this quote over and over again for the past few weeks — don’t overlook life’s small joys. The prompt to choose to find joy was a great reminder to do it!

    Thanks! Hope you enjoy. I’m looking forward to reading your posts. And, with any luck I’ll get this post up before the comments close! 😀

    https://creativitylovingeducator.com/2020/06/06/embrace-the-bitter-lean-into-the-sweet/

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