Which term describes the repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words?

Which term describes the repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words?

• A. Alliteration
• B. Metaphor
• C. Simile
• D. Hyperbole

Answer: (A)

Repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words is called alliteration. It’s a stylistic device used to create rhythm or emphasis by repeating the same consonant sound at the starts of nearby words, like in “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” This is different from a metaphor, which says one thing is another (time is a thief), a simile, which makes a comparison using like or as (as brave as a lion), and hyperbole, which uses obvious exaggeration for effect (I’m so hungry I could eat a horse). So, for describing the repetition of initial sounds in nearby words, alliteration fits best.

Repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words is called alliteration. It’s a stylistic device used to create rhythm or emphasis by repeating the same consonant sound at the starts of nearby words, like in “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” This is different from a metaphor, which says one thing is another (time is a thief), a simile, which makes a comparison using like or as (as brave as a lion), and hyperbole, which uses obvious exaggeration for effect (I’m so hungry I could eat a horse). So, for describing the repetition of initial sounds in nearby words, alliteration fits best.