2.1.9

Sibilance

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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 combine with the words used to create a light-hearted, positive feeling. It sets a lighter tone for the writing.
    • The adjective ‘cheeky’ with the verb ‘chattered’ build up a softer image of a child enjoying themselves.

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.
Jump to other topics
1

Key Terms

1.1

Key Terms

1.1.1Key Terms - Nouns, Verbs & Sentences1.1.2Key Terms - Sentence and Clause Types1.1.3Key Terms - Words, Sounds & Language1.1.4Key Terms - Types of Language1.1.5Key Terms - Images, Symbols & Mood1.1.6Key Terms - Mood & Feelings1.1.7Key Terms - Other Techniques1.1.8End of Topic Test - Key Terms
2

Language Devices

2.1

Language Devices

2.1.1Metaphors2.1.2Similes2.1.3Metaphors & Similes HyperLearning2.1.4Personification2.1.5Pathetic Fallacy2.1.6Puns & Oxymorons2.1.7Hyperbole & Emotive Language2.1.8Alliteration2.1.9Sibilance2.1.10Onomatopoeia2.1.11Recap: Language Devices2.1.12End of Topic Test - Language Devices
3

Writing Structure

3.1

Writing Structure

3.1.1Narrators3.1.2Paragraphs3.1.3Tense3.1.4Present vs Past vs Future Tense3.1.5Foreshadowing3.1.6Structure3.1.7End of Topic Test - Writing Structure
4

Section B: Reading & Writing

4.1

Writing Formats

4.1.1Letter4.1.2Reports & Essays4.1.3Journal/Diary Entry4.1.4Speech4.1.5Newspaper Article4.1.6Leaflet4.1.7Review4.1.8Travel Writing4.1.9End of Topic Test - Writing Formats
4.2

Writing to...

4.2.1Writing to Inform4.2.2Writing to Inform - Example4.2.3Writing to Explain4.2.4Writing to Explain - Example4.2.5Writing to Persuade4.2.6Writing to Persuade - Example4.2.7Writing to Argue4.2.8Writing to Argue - Example4.2.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue4.2.10Writing to Advise4.2.11Writing to Advise - Example4.2.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
4.3

Acronym of Techniques - DAFORESTAR

4.3.1Direct Address4.3.2Alliteration4.3.3Facts4.3.4Opinions4.3.5Repetition4.3.6Exaggeration (Hyperbole)4.3.7Statistics4.3.8Triple (Rule of 3)4.3.9Emotive Language4.3.10Rhetorical Questions4.3.11End of Topic Test - DAFORESTER
5

Section C: Writing

5.1

Writing Task

5.1.1Discursive Writing5.1.2Narrative Writing5.1.3Descriptive Writing5.1.4End of Topic Test - Writing Task

Practice questions on Sibilance

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What is sibilance a specific form of?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What sound does sibilance focus on?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Which phrase uses sibilance?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Soft consonant sounds used in sibilance:True / false
  5. 5
    Which use of sibilance creates a sinister tone? Multiple choice
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Alliteration

Onomatopoeia