The definition of assonance

Assonance is a literary device in which vowel sounds are repeated in words that are in close proximity in a sentence or group of words.

Most writers associate assonance with poetry, but assonance can also be used in narratives and in non-fiction. Writers from earlier centuries, such as William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, and other greats used assonance in their work. An example of a famous work that uses assonance is:

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

(“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” 1804, by William Wordsworth)

I hope you could identify the element of assonance in the poem. Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds that are in close proximity.

The second sentence has assonance (the “o” in floats and the “o” in o’er). The fourth sentence has assonance (the “o” in host, golden, and daffodils). The fifth and sixth sentences have assonance (the “ea” in beneath, the “ee” in trees, and “ee” in breeze).

Just to make sure that you fully understand how assonance is used in literary work, here’s another example:

He gives harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

(“Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening” 1922, by Robert Frost)

This one is quite easy to spot assonance. There is assonance in the first sentence (sound “e” in harness and bells). In the fifth sentence, there is assonance (there is sound “a” in are and dark). There is also assonance in the last two sentences (sound “I” in both the Is used).

Other common examples of assonance are:

Dumb luck

Wild child

Son of a gun

Keep your eyes on the prize

Surf and turf

It is important to note that for assonance, we only look at the vowel sound and not the words. That means different vowels can produce the same vowel sound. The over usage of assonance may distract the reader and render your work as a writer boring.

The difference between assonance and alliteration

Both assonance and alliteration are literary devices that deal with the repetition of sound. However, while assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds, alliteration is the repetition of similar consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

The difference between assonance and rhyme

While rhyme entails the repetition of both consonant and vowel sounds, assonance entails the repetition of only vowel sounds.

The uses of assonance

For a lyrical effect

The repetition of vowel sounds in literary work brings about a lyrical effect. This is also the main reason why assonance is associated with poetry (and music). The use of assonance in narratives can cause a lyrical effect on the narrative, which in turn will appeal to the audience.

To enhance mood

The writer can use assonance to set the mood of his or her work. Depending on the sounds produced, the work can have a joyous, lighthearted, playful, somber, or sad tone. This in turn sets the general mood of the writer’s work.

Sources

writingexplained.org/grammar-dictionary/assonance

https://www.litcharts.com/literary-devices-and-terms/assonance

https://literarydevices.net/assonance
https://literaryterms.net/assonance

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101..