Definition
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words, even when consonants differ. It softens or lengthens rhythm depending on the vowels used.
Example
The light rain sighed through pine repeats long i sounds to create a hushed mood.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Chasing vowel echoes at the cost of clear meaning.
- Confusing assonance with rhyme, which repeats full end sounds in patterned lines.