English: alliteration and consonance

Tutoring English, you deal with literary terms.  The English tutor comments on the oft-mentioned alliteration as well as the less commonly known consonance.

Most people know that alliteration is the repetition of an initial consonant sound over several words:  hairy, homely hulk, for instance.  Some people suggest that a repeated initial vowel sound can also constitute alliteration, such as utter uncertainty.  I’ve always been given the impression alliteration only involves consonant sounds, but Coles Literary Terms doesn’t specify.

Consonance – which is much less discussed – is the repetition of a consonant sound at the ends of words. Hard polished wood, with its three consecutive terminal d sounds, gives an example of consonance.

I hope this helps:)

Source: Literary Terms. Coles Publishing. 2009: Toronto, Canada.

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.

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