2.1.10
Sibilance
Sibilance
Sibilance
Sibilance is a more specific form of alliteration, which focuses on 's' sounds.
Strange sizzling sky
Strange sizzling sky
- A strange sizzle softly filled the silent sky.
- In this phrase, the repeated ‘s’ sounds combine with the words chosen to create a sense of calm, but also the feeling that something more sinister is about to happen.
- The adjectives ‘strange’ and ‘silent’ give us the feeling that we are waiting for something to happen, but the adverb ‘softly’ also creates a sense of calm.
Sad, uncertain circumstances
Sad, uncertain circumstances
- The uncertain circumstances were sad.
- In this phrase, the ‘s’ sound comes from the letter ‘s’ and also the soft letter ‘c’ (in ‘circumstances’, the second ‘c’ makes a harder sound and so is not part of the sibilance here).
- In this phrase, the repeated ‘s’ sounds combine with the words chosen to create a sense of uncertainty and secrecy.
- The adjective ‘uncertain’ immediately sets an unsure, negative tone, which is reinforced by the sibilance in the sentence.
Cheeky child chattered
Cheeky child chattered
- A cheeky child chattered.
- In this phrase, the repeated ‘ch’ sounds are soft and create a light-hearted, positive feeling. It sets a lighter tone for the writing.
- The adjective ‘cheeky’ with the verb ‘chattered’ builds up a softer image of a child enjoying themselves.
Tips for Using Sibilance
Tips for Using Sibilance
Sibilance is a more specific form of alliteration, which focuses on 's' sounds.
Wooshing or hissing sound
Wooshing or hissing sound
- Sibilance relies on the repetition of soft consonant sounds in words to create a wooshing or hissing sound in the writing.
- The sounds used include 's', 'sh', 'c' and 'ch'. The sounds can happen anywhere in the words.
Plan where sibilance should go
Plan where sibilance should go
- Use sibilance carefully – before you put it into your writing, think about where it should go. What do you want to draw attention to?
Choose vocabulary carefully
Choose vocabulary carefully
- Remember that sibilance is only effective when used with the correct choice of words – your choice of vocabulary is vital in creating effective sibilance.
- Sibilance will reinforce the words you have chosen – it will combine with your words to emphasise the tone of your writing, so be aware of the tone you want to create before you start.
Focus on the sound
Focus on the sound
- Focus on the sound you are trying to create. Is your sibilance going to emphasise a sinister, secret, calm or still feeling? The type of sounds you choose to repeat will affect the mood of your writing.
1Key Terms
2Language Techniques
2.1Language Devices
3Paper 1: Reading
4Paper 1: Writing
5Paper 2: Reading
5.1DAFORESTER
6Paper 2: Writing
6.1Structuring Your Answer
6.2Types of Writing
6.3Writing to...
6.3.1Writing to Inform
6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example
6.3.3Writing to Explain
6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example
6.3.5Writing to Persuade
6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example
6.3.7Writing to Argue
6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example
6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue
6.3.10Writing to Advise
6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example
6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing
Jump to other topics
1Key Terms
2Language Techniques
2.1Language Devices
3Paper 1: Reading
4Paper 1: Writing
5Paper 2: Reading
5.1DAFORESTER
6Paper 2: Writing
6.1Structuring Your Answer
6.2Types of Writing
6.3Writing to...
6.3.1Writing to Inform
6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example
6.3.3Writing to Explain
6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example
6.3.5Writing to Persuade
6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example
6.3.7Writing to Argue
6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example
6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue
6.3.10Writing to Advise
6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example
6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing
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