English Literary Devices Questions Medium
Alliteration is a literary device that involves the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in a phrase or sentence. It is used to create a musical or rhythmic effect, as well as to emphasize certain words or ideas.
An example of alliteration can be found in the poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe:
"While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door."
In this excerpt, the repetition of the "n" sound in "nodded" and "nearly napping," as well as the repetition of the "r" sound in "rapping" and "chamber door," creates a melodic quality and draws attention to the tapping sound.