Sound Devices

In Poetry
 Phoneme
• From the Greek phoneme, or sound made, a phoneme
is the sound unique to a word to differentiate it from
other words.
• While sound does not have meanings by themselves,
in writing, sound can clarify, enhance, or point the
meaning of the word.
• It can make the writing unforgettable
 Onomatopoeia
Description:
Words that imitate the sounds they describe
Examples:
Bang, boom, ring, hiss, buzz, screech,
squeak
 Onomatopoeia
Purpose:
Provides immediate name for a
sound
When at loss for words, use the
sound instead
 Alliteration
Description:
The repetition of the sound of the first
consonant in the same line of a poem
Examples:
“She sells seashells by the sea shore.”
 Alliteration
Purpose:
Adds rhythm and musicality
 Assonance
Description:
The repetition of the sound of the vowel in
the stressed syllables of words
Examples:
“It beats, it sweeps, what is it?”
 Assonance
Purpose:
Highlights meaning or sets the mood of
the poem and adds rhythm and musicality
Subtle and not so obvious compared to
alliteration
 Consonance
Description:
The successive repetition of the sound of
consonants within a phrase or a sentence
Examples:
“Put the black sack in the back.”
 Consonance
Purpose:
Adds rhythm and musicality and
creates a special mood.
 Dissonance
Description:
Intentional use of words that create harsh or
clashing sound. It does not create a pattern like
assonance and consonance
Examples:
“Let’s get ready to rumble!”
 Dissonance
Purpose:
Creates angry, discordant, or
conflicted atmosphere