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Grade 3 · Grammar · Vocabulary

3rd Grade Alliteration and Onomatopoeia worksheets

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Alliteration and Onomatopoeia

Grade 3 Grammar Worksheet - Challenge Me

NameDate

Write alliteration or onomatopoeia.

  1. The tiny mouse squeaked. Sound device:

  2. The soda fizzed in the cup. Sound device:

  3. Lazy lions lie low in the long grass. Sound device:

  4. The rooster said cock-a-doodle-doo. Sound device:

  5. Bright butterflies bounced above the blossoms. Sound device:

  6. The thunder rumbled in the distance. Sound device:

  7. The snake slid silently through the sand. Sound device:

  8. Sleepy seals sunbathe on the sand. Sound device:

  9. The glass went clink against the plate. Sound device:

  10. Green grasshoppers grabbed the garden greens. Sound device:

  11. The cheerful children chose chocolate chip cookies. Sound device:

  12. The hail went rat-a-tat on the window. Sound device:

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3rd Grade Alliteration and Onomatopoeia worksheet 1 – printable PDF
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About this worksheet

Writers use the sounds of words to make their writing lively. Alliteration repeats the same beginning sound in words that sit close together, as in Peter picked purple peppers. Onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like the noise it names, such as buzz, pop, splash or sizzle. On this worksheet your child reads twelve sentences and writes alliteration or onomatopoeia for each one; the two words are in the instruction.

Every sentence uses one device only. Building Confidence uses the clearest examples, On Level adds sentences with longer lines, and Challenge Me uses sound words such as pitter-patter and crackled and alliteration with the same sound in four or five words. Read the sentences aloud with your child and listen for the sound.

What your child will learn

  • Hear the same beginning sound repeated in a sentence
  • Spot a word that sounds like the noise it names
  • Tell alliteration from onomatopoeia

Common Core standard: L.3.5

Worked example

'Silly snakes slide slowly' repeats the s sound at the start of four words, so it is alliteration. 'The bees buzzed' uses buzzed, which sounds like the noise, so it is onomatopoeia.

Common mistake

Calling a sentence alliteration because it has many words, when the words do not start with the same sound.

Helpful hint

Say it aloud. Do the first sounds match, or is one word a sound?

Next skill: Literal and Nonliteral Language

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with alliteration and onomatopoeia?

Calling a sentence alliteration because it has many words, when the words do not start with the same sound.

How can I help my child with alliteration and onomatopoeia?

Say it aloud. Do the first sounds match, or is one word a sound?

Are these 3rd grade grammar worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

Similar: Literal and Nonliteral Language · Domain-Specific Vocabulary

More 3rd grade vocabulary

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