Public Speaking Course: 

Alliteration

In my public speaking course you will learn that humor doesn't always have to be totally crazy to be effective. Another mild form of humor you can use is called alliteration. It means the repetition of the same first letter or the same first sound in a group of words, or in a line of poetry. 

Advertisements and marketing promotions use alliteration in their titles all the time because it usually will catch your ear and eye. Learning to catch the attention of your audience is part of what you will learn in my public speaking course. One of my humorous speech topics is titled 'Pranks for Profit: Confessions of a Paid Practical Joker'. It has four 'p' sounds. 

Here is an example of alliteration used to give a positive message.

'We (B)agged the (B)aldridge award (B)ecause our (B)rainy, (B)eautiful (B)usiness people are the (B)est.' 

If you have a negative message to impart you can also soften the blow without appearing uncaring. Example: 

'The strike by one of our suppliers has put a (C)runch on our division. Even though we are (C)runched, we are still (C)reative. We are still (C)redible. And we will (C)onquer this problem.' 

Alliteration in this area can heighten the glow, or soften the blow.

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