Which technique uses repeated consonant sounds within words to create a musical effect?

• A. Consonance
• B. Alliteration
• C. Metaphor
• D. Irony

Answer: (A)

Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within nearby words, creating a musical, echoing effect that isn’t tied to where the words start. It can happen inside words or at their ends, giving a soft, rhythmic quality to the line. This is why the technique often feels more subtle and musical than other sound devices. By contrast, alliteration relies specifically on repeating initial consonant sounds at the beginnings of words, which creates a more obvious, front-heavy rhythm. Metaphor and irony, on the other hand, focus on meaning rather than sound: a metaphor makes a direct comparison between two unlike things, and irony involves saying something that means something quite different from what’s stated or expected.