Assonance - Definition, Usage, and Examples

Lesson Overview

• What Is Assonance Definition?
• How to Use Assonance in a Sentence
• How to Identify Assonance in a Sentence
• Examples of Assonance
• Poems Containing Assonance
• Assonance Assessment

What Is Assonance Definition?

Assonance is a figure of speech where the same vowel sound is repeated in nearby words. These words do not need to rhyme but must have a similar vowel sound. 

Assonance meaning often extends beyond simple repetition, as it is frequently used to create a musical effect and enhance the rhythm of a sentence or poem. 

This technique helps draw attention to certain words or ideas, adding depth and emotion to the text.

Example: "The rain in Spain falls mainly in the plains."

• The vowel sound "ai" is repeated in "rain," "Spain," "mainly," and "plains."

How to Use Assonance in a Sentence

Step 1

Decide what you want to express in the sentence.

Example: You want to describe a peaceful night.

Step 2

Select words that match your theme and have the same or similar vowel sounds.

Example: Words like "light," "bright," and "night" share the long "i" sound.

Step 3

Place the words close together to create a rhythm or pattern.

Example: "The light shines bright in the quiet night."

Step 4

Ensure the sentence sounds smooth and makes sense. Avoid forcing words just to repeat sounds.

Example: "The calm light of the moon glows bright."

Step 5

Read the sentence aloud to hear the repetition of the vowel sound. Adjust if needed.

Example: "In the still night, the stars shine bright."

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How to Identify Assonance in a Sentence

Focus on the Vowel Sounds

Ignore the consonants and listen for repeated vowel sounds.

Example: "The cat ran past the man."

The short "a" sound repeats in "cat," "ran," and "man."

Check for Close Proximity

Make sure the words with the repeated vowel sounds are near each other.

Example: "The owl hooted softly in the moonlight."

The long "oo" sound repeats in "owl," "hooted," and "moonlight."

Ignore the Spelling

Focus on the sound of the vowels, not how they are written.

Example: "I might delight in the sight of the light."

The long "i" sound repeats in "might," "delight," "sight," and "light."

Read Aloud

Reading the sentence aloud helps you hear the repetition of vowel sounds.

Example: "The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain."

The long "a" sound repeats in "rain," "Spain," "stays," "mainly," and "plain."

Examples of Assonance

Here are some helpful sentence using assonance examples in different types of sentences:

Poems Containing Assonance

Here are some examples of assonance figurative language in poetry.

1. "The Bells" by Edgar Allan Poe

"Hear the mellow wedding bells…"
In this poem, the repetition of the "e" sound in "mellow" and "wedding" creates a soft, melodic flow that mirrors the ringing of bells, enhancing the peaceful imagery.

2. "The Song of the Belfry" by Emily Dickinson

"I lie down by the side of my bride…"
The repetition of the "i" sound in "lie," "side," and "bride" creates a smooth and rhythmic flow, emphasizing the gentle nature of the scene.

3. "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both…"
The "o" sound in "roads," "drove," and "both" is an example of assonance. The use of these repeated vowel sounds contributes to the reflective and contemplative mood of the poem.

4. "The Tyger" by William Blake

"Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night…"
In this iconic line, the repetition of the "i" sound in "Tyger" and "burning" creates a rhythmic pulse that emphasizes the intensity of the tiger's presence.

5. "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" by William Wordsworth

"For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood…"
The repetition of the long "i" sound in "lie," "vacant," and "pensive" creates a smooth, flowing rhythm that enhances the peaceful and reflective tone of the poem.

Assonance Assessment

Identify the repeated vowel sounds in the following sentences:

1. The bright light shone in the silent night.
2. The cool breeze blew through the blue pool.
3. The cat sat and scratched the black mat.
4. The owl prowled around the town at night.
5. I find my mind is tied to the kind skies.