The United States of America is known throughout the world as a country that over 200 years ago fought diligently to grant freedom formal to those who thus choose to reside on its territory. The freedom of the United States of America is symbolized by the American flag. What was once a piece of fabric is now a treasure for American citizens and individuals who long for the freedom that the flag preserves. The poem “Star-Spangled Banner” is a great example of how the American flag represents freedom and hope for Americans, both in the past and in the present. The passion that forged this nation remains today, thanks to the influence of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Popularly known as the "National Anthem," Francis Scott Key's "Star-Spangled Banner" uses form, sound and symbolism to tell the story of America's great hopes. In the “Star-Spangled Banner”, sound plays an essential role in all the others. double. Diction is the way a certain word or phrase is pronounced. An example of diction in this poem is the emphasis placed on certain words. This emphasis creates a rhyme when reading. To illustrate this in the first line of the poem, Francis Scott Key wrote: “Oh, say, can you see, in the first light of dawn” (Matthews). The way it's said, or the diction, makes it sound like it rhymes, when it clearly doesn't. The diction is why the poem is classified as a blank verse poem. Later, when music was added to the poem, the emphasis creates rhythm rather than rhyme. Alliteration is another example of speech featured in the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Alliteration is a literary device in which a letter appears at the beginning of more than one word in a sentence. An example of alliteration in this poem is "broad stripes and bright stars..." (Mat...... middle of paper ...... poem, which makes the poem a prime candidate for a song Alliteration and diction are examples of sounds used in this poem The "Star-Spangled Banner" is passionate and uses the American flag as its main symbol The "Star-Spangled Banner" [the American flag] is one of the most. great treasures of history. the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History" (Gelb). Works citedGelb, Norman "Francis Scott Key, the Reluctant Patriot Magazine, September 2004. Web, April 3, 2014. Poems of American Patriotism." , Project Gutenberg, August 2004. Web, April 3, 2014. “The Red Glare of Rockets,” Francis Scott Key and the Bombing of Fort McHenry. Web, April 3, 2014. “Star Spangled Banner.” the Library of Congress.. 2014.