What is a Onomatopoeia?

Words that sound like the action they describe.

Examples

  • Bloop
  • Splash
  • Growl
  • Bam
  • Screech
  • Bang
  • Chortle
  • Tweet
  • Whoosh
  • Whiz
  • Buzz
  • Snap

Use Onomatopoeia to...

  • Create rhythm
  • Appeal to the reader’s senses
  • Add texture
  • Inject emphasis

Examples

“Hark, hark!

Bow-wow.

The watch-dogs bark!”

— William Shakespeare’s The Tempest 

“How they clang, and clash, and roar!

What a horror they outpour

On the bosom of the palpitating air!”

— Edgar Allan Poe, The Bells

Mr. Brown can MOO! Can you?  

— Dr. Seuss

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