Which term describes the repetition of initial consonant sounds at the beginnings of neighboring words?

Which term describes the repetition of initial consonant sounds at the beginnings of neighboring words?

• A. Assonance
• B. Alliteration
• C. Consonance
• D. Rhyme

Answer: (B)

Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds at the beginnings of neighboring words. This pattern adds rhythm and emphasis, helping a phrase stand out or sound musical. For example, in a familiar line like “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,” the repeated initial /p/ sound ties the words together and creates a playful, memorable effect. As a contrast, assonance involves repeating vowel sounds within nearby words, not the starting consonants—so it focuses on vowels rather than initial consonants. Consonance refers to repeating consonant sounds as well, but it isn’t limited to word-initial positions; it can occur in the middle or end of words. Rhyme is about matching sounds, usually at the ends of words or lines. So the repetition of initial consonant sounds at the beginnings of neighboring words is alliteration.

Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds at the beginnings of neighboring words. This pattern adds rhythm and emphasis, helping a phrase stand out or sound musical. For example, in a familiar line like “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,” the repeated initial /p/ sound ties the words together and creates a playful, memorable effect.

As a contrast, assonance involves repeating vowel sounds within nearby words, not the starting consonants—so it focuses on vowels rather than initial consonants. Consonance refers to repeating consonant sounds as well, but it isn’t limited to word-initial positions; it can occur in the middle or end of words. Rhyme is about matching sounds, usually at the ends of words or lines.

So the repetition of initial consonant sounds at the beginnings of neighboring words is alliteration.