Which linguistic device involves repeating vowel sounds within words?

Which linguistic device involves repeating vowel sounds within words?

• A. Alliteration
• B. Assonance
• C. Metaphor
• D. Onomatopoeia

Answer: (B)

Repeating vowel sounds within nearby words is assonance. This device creates a musical, flowing effect by focusing on vowels rather than consonant beginnings. For example, in a phrase like “mellow yellow,” the same vowel sound is echoed in nearby words, giving a soft, melodic rhythm. It differs from alliteration, which repeats initial consonant sounds (like “silly sailors”), and from metaphor, which makes a direct comparison, or from onomatopoeia, which imitates actual sounds. By letting vowel sounds echo through the line, assonance adds harmony and texture to the language.

Repeating vowel sounds within nearby words is assonance. This device creates a musical, flowing effect by focusing on vowels rather than consonant beginnings. For example, in a phrase like “mellow yellow,” the same vowel sound is echoed in nearby words, giving a soft, melodic rhythm. It differs from alliteration, which repeats initial consonant sounds (like “silly sailors”), and from metaphor, which makes a direct comparison, or from onomatopoeia, which imitates actual sounds. By letting vowel sounds echo through the line, assonance adds harmony and texture to the language.