Alliteration, Assonance, and Onomatopoeia

Which of the following is the best definition of alliteration?

• An Anglo-Saxon technique that is not used today

• A type of poetry developed in ancient Rome

• The use of multiple literary devices in one line

• The repetition of sounds in a series of words

Which of the following lines gives the best example of alliteration?

• The pirate's wife had a brown dress.

• Red rubies fell from her raw hand.

• Wendy steered the boat expertly.

• Navigation was her best skill.

How can alliteration strengthen the impact of poetic language?

• The pleasing sound of the words makes them seem to "fit" together.

• The important themes demand the reader's full attention.

• The powerful imagery makes the reader want to continue.

• The complex emotions are difficult to express in other ways.

Which of the following is the best definition of assonance?

• Another way of saying "alliteration"

• A blend of consonants and vowels

• The repetition of vowel sounds

• The use of vowels in poetry

Read the following line:

Black coats and blue ______

Which of the following words could be added to this line to create assonance?

• hopes

• hills

• buttons

• ceilings

Which of the following is the best definition of onomatopoeia?

• When a word implies two sense experiences at once

• When a word creates a powerful visual image

• When a word stands out from the other words in a line

• When a word imitates the sound of what it describes

Which of the following words is a common example of onomatopoeia?

• Boat

• Bang

• Box

• Book