Alliteration, Assonance, Consonance

What is alliteration?

• Repetition of vowel sounds inside words.

• Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

• A comparison using "like" or "as".

• Giving human qualities to an object.

Answer explanation

Alliteration is a literary device where the same beginning consonant sound is repeated in nearby words. The other options describe assonance, simile, and personification.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Sort each phrase into the category of sound device it uses: Alliteration, Assonance, or Consonance.

Groups:

(a) Alliteration

,

(b) Assonance

,

(c) Consonance

• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

• Mike likes his new bike.

• The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.

• The pitter-patter of little feet.

Answer explanation

"Peter Piper..." repeats the 'p' sound at the start (Alliteration). "The rain in Spain..." and "Mike likes..." repeat vowel sounds (Assonance). "Pitter-patter" repeats the 't' and 'r' sounds within the words (Consonance).

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Which sentence best demonstrates assonance?

• The cool cat crept quietly.

• Go slow over the road.

• The big bad bear bounced.

• He struck a streak of bad luck.

Answer explanation

"Go slow over the road" repeats the long 'o' vowel sound, which is assonance. The other options primarily feature alliteration or consonance.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Match each literary term to its correct definition.

• The repetition of similar consonant sounds at the end of or within words.

• Assonance

• The repetition of the same beginning consonant sound in a series of words.

• Consonance

• The repetition of similar vowel sounds in the middle of words.

• Alliteration

Answer explanation

Each term is matched with its precise definition. Alliteration is beginning consonant sounds, assonance is internal vowel sounds, and consonance is internal or ending consonant sounds.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Your friend is writing a slogan for a bake sale. Which option uses alliteration to sound catchy?

• Delicious desserts for sale.

• Cupcakes, cookies, and brownies.

• Sweet treats for you.

• Come get some yummy food.

Answer explanation

"Delicious desserts" is an example of alliteration because both words start with the 'd' sound, making the slogan more memorable. The other options do not use this device.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Which phrase contains the clearest example of consonance?

• A stitch in time saves nine.

• Funny phones for friendly folks.

• The duck took the black sack.

• The wind whistled wildly.

Answer explanation

This phrase repeats the 'k' sound at the end or middle of words (duck, took, black, sack), which is consonance. The other options show assonance or alliteration.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Classify each example based on the main sound device used: Alliteration, Assonance, or Consonance.

Groups:

(a) Alliteration

,

(b) Assonance

,

(c) Consonance

• PayPal

• A fleet of sleeping sheep

• Clap your hands and stamp your feet

• First and last

Answer explanation

"PayPal" repeats the 'p' sound at the beginning (Alliteration). "A fleet of sleeping sheep" and "Clap...stamp" repeat internal vowel sounds (Assonance). "First and last" repeats the 'st' sound at the end (Consonance).

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

The brand name "Dunkin' Donuts" is a real-world example of which sound device?

• Assonance

• Consonance

• Alliteration

• Metaphor

Answer explanation

"Dunkin' Donuts" repeats the 'd' sound at the beginning of both words, which is alliteration. This makes the brand name catchy and easy to remember.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Match each sentence to the sound device it primarily features.

• Consonance

• He saw the cost of the lost book.

• Assonance

• The lumpy, bumpy road.

• Alliteration

• Carrie's cat clawed her couch.

Answer explanation

"Lumpy, bumpy" repeats the 'mp' consonant sound (Consonance). "Cost" and "lost" repeat the 'o' vowel sound (Assonance). "Carrie's cat clawed" repeats the 'c' sound at the start of words (Alliteration).

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Read the line: "The cool moon loomed over the school." Which sound device is most prominent?

• Alliteration, because of the 'l' sound.

• Assonance, because of the 'oo' sound.

• Consonance, because of the 'l' sound.

• Simile, because it compares two things.

Answer explanation

The line prominently repeats the 'oo' vowel sound in "cool," "moon," "loomed," and "school," which is assonance. While there is some consonance, the assonance is more dominant.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4