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Consonance
Definition of "Consonance" (with Examples)
Consonance is a stylistic literary technique in which nearby words repeat the same consonant sound.Table of Contents
- Easy Examples of Consonance
- Real-Life Examples of Consonance
- Why Consonance Is Important
- Printable Test

It is important to focus on the sound rather than the letter because it is the sound that catches the audience's attention.
Easy Examples of Consonance
- To crack a lock. (The repeated ck sound creates the consonance.)
- The witch stretched out to touch the wretched child. (The repeated ch sound creates the consonance.)
Real-Life Examples of Consonance
- We're bound by a bond that transcends the beyond. (The repeated nd sound creates the consonance.)
- I'm not rattled by your little tittle-tattle. (The repeated st sound creates the consonance.)
- The uncertainty of the source will cause despair. (This example shows the importance of listening to the sounds rather than looking at the letters. The c in uncertain and the c in source are part of this "s-sound" consonance.)
- He is part of a government think tank. (The repeated nk sound creates the consonance.)
- She swung her fist in angst against the beast.
- Porky Pig pinched Peter Piper's peppers apparently. (Be aware that alliteration can also include words that include the repeated consonant sound at the stressed syllable (not just the start), making apparently part of this alliterative string.)
Consonance is less common in prose (especially business writing) than in poetry, but it can be useful for emphasis or for making a message more memorable.
- The new logo says boorish and English but also stylish.
- Use non-alliterative consonance to force your readers to think more deeply about your word choice.
- Use consonance to add rhythm and musicality to your writing (either obviously with alliteration or subtly without).
- Use alliteration or consonance to make your message more memorable.
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