Alliteration and assonance are great tools that can change the mood of a poem.

Alliteration

• What it is: This is when the same sounds of consonants are repeated at the start of words.
• How it affects the poem: It creates a rhythm and can make the tone feel fun or intense.
• Example: In "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, words like "stillness" and "silken" give a spooky feeling.

Assonance

• What it is: This is when the same vowel sounds are repeated in the middle of words.
• How it affects the poem: It makes the poem sound more musical, changing how we feel about it.
• Example: In “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas, the long “o” sound in "go" and "who" creates a feeling of urgency and sadness.

When poets use these techniques well, they can connect with readers on an emotional level. This makes the poem's mood stronger and easier to remember.