What Is Consonance? | Definition & Examples

Consonance is a literary device that repeats consonant sounds within nearby words (e.g., “He struck the clock with a quick flick”). Using consonance can add rhythm, a specific mood, or a catchy feel to your writing.

What is consonance?

Consonance is the repetition of nearby consonant sounds within a sentence. Unlike alliteration—which is similar-sounding consonants repeated at the beginning of words—the repeated consonant sound can occur at the beginning, middle, or end of the word in consonance.

Consonance can enhance your writing whether you read the words aloud or silently in your head. It’s worth noting that consonance is the repeated sound that the consonants make, not the repetition of the same letters.

For example, the sentence “Chris’s backpack was packed with books” repeats the “k” sound in nearby words. Despite being spelled differently (i.e., the letters “ch,” “ck,” and “k”), the “k” sound is consistent, and the repetition makes it an example of consonance.

Consonance vs alliteration

Both consonance and alliteration are repeated consonant sounds, but they are not the same. The main difference is that alliteration repeats the consonant sound at the beginning of the word. In consonance, however, the repeated consonant sound can occur at the beginning, middle, or end of the word.

In other words, alliteration is always an example of consonance, but consonance is not always an example of alliteration.

Consonance vs assonance

Consonance and assonance are literary devices in which an identical sound is repeated in nearby words to enhance the listener’s auditory experience. In both consonance and assonance, the repeated sounds can be at the beginning, middle, or end of the word.

The main difference between assonance and consonance is the type of sound that’s being repeated.

• In consonance, only consonant sounds are repeated (e.g., “She asked if he could risk taking the task”).
• In assonance, only vowel sounds are repeated (e.g., “The engineer steered the vehicle near the pier”).

Why do authors use consonance?

Writers use consonance in all types of writing—from advertising and copywriting to prose and spoken word—to:

• Add rhythm and a musical quality. Consonance adds a rhythmic element to writing, making it more engaging, memorable, and catchy.
• Evoke certain moods. Consonant sounds can contribute to how writing “feels.” For example, the hard “k” sound can create conflict or urgency, while the soft “s” sound can cause a sense of calmness.
• Create cohesion and flow. Using consonance can create a sense of harmony within a piece. Repeating similar sounds can link stanzas, lyrics, and lines together and enhance the overall flow and structure of writing.

Consonance examples

Consonance is commonly used in poetry, classic literature, and songs. Poets often use consonance to enhance rhythm or add “texture” to their lines and stanzas.

Authors often use consonance in literature to add a subtle tone to a scene or depth to a character. The repetitive sounds can also bring attention to specific words or phrases without being overt about doing so.

Songwriters use consonance to make lyrics catchier, easier to remember, and easier to sing along to. The repetition of consonant sounds is often perceived unconsciously but adds feelings and emotions to songs.

Frequently asked questions about consonance

What is an example of consonance?

An example of consonance is the repeated “l” sounds in the following sentence: “The little boy kicked the ball, his laughter ringing out as it rolled into the tall grass.”

Scribbr’s free Paraphrasing Tool can help you clearly express your ideas in your writing.

What is the difference between consonance and sibilance?

Consonance and sibilance are both literary devices that involve the repetition of sounds, but they differ in the type of sound that’s repeated.

Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in nearby words (e.g., “Mike likes to hike and ride his bike”). The consonant sound emphasized in this sentence is “k.”

Sibilance is the repetition of the “s” sound in nearby words (e.g., “The whispering sound of the stream soothed their spirits.”

Scribbr’s Paraphrasing Tool can help you select the best wording to effectively communicate in your writing.

What is the difference between consonance and assonance?

Consonance is the repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning, middle, or end of the word (e.g., “The wild winds whisked the leaves away”).

Assonance is the repetition of a vowel sound at the beginning, middle, or end of a word (e.g., “The smooth grooves of the music moved me”).

Scribbr’s free Paraphrasing Tool can help you clearly express your ideas in your writing.