Consonance Examples in Literature and Daily Speech

Alright, let’s talk consonance. You might’ve heard the word tossed around in English class or maybe in some fancy poetry circle. But what is it really? And why should you care beyond sounding like you swallowed a dictionary?

Consonance is basically the echo of consonant sounds inside words that are chilling close to each other. Like a little consonant party happening inside your sentence.

I learned about consonance the hard way—during a high school poetry slam where I accidentally rhymed “orange” with “door hinge.” Don’t laugh; it was tragic but true.

Anyway, here’s the kicker: consonance isn’t just some literary snob trick. Nope, it sneaks into everyday chit-chat and even ads. Yep, that catchy jingle you can’t get outta your head? Probably loaded with consonance.

So, What Is Consonance, Really?

Think of it as the repetition of consonant sounds anywhere in a cluster of words—not just the start, like alliteration does. For example:

“Blank and think.”
See how the “nk” sound repeats? That’s consonance.

I remember the smell of Walmart’s parking lot rosemary on June 7th, 2019, as I pondered this. Weird place to reflect on phonetics, I know.

Consonance can live in the middle or end of words, which makes it sneakier than alliteration.

Alliteration vs. Consonance — The Mix-Up

Look, I’m guilty too—used to call them the same thing until I read somewhere (page 42 of the out-of-print Garden Mishaps & Miracles, 1998—yeah, I’m that nerd) that alliteration’s only about starting sounds, while consonance can be anywhere. Their/there mix-ups? Guilty as charged. But these two are cousins, not twins.

Classic Consonance Examples in Literature

Poetry is like the playground for consonance, but prose loves it too.

Edgar Allan Poe’s Creepy Vibes

“And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain” from The Raven is a wild ride for your ears. The “s” sound slips in like a whispering ghost.

Poetry’s full of lines like that. Like a secret handshake among writers.

Robert Frost’s Whispery Woods

“Whose woods these are I think I know.”
The “k” sound creeps in on think and know. Soft, subtle, and kinda spooky in a peaceful way.

I can almost hear the crunch of snow under boots when I read that line.

Prose Ain’t Left Out

Herman Melville’s Moby Dick has gems like:
“And now, the ship, the whale, the water—all in a whirl.”
That repeated “w” sound? Consonance doing its watery dance.

Also, Dickens’ Great Expectations nails it with:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
That hard “t” sound pops like little beats reminding you this ain’t no ordinary time.

Why Bother With Consonance?

Good question. Here’s why I started caring:

• It gives your words a beat, like a secret rhythm.
• It paints moods. Soft consonants whisper calm, harsh ones punch tension.
• Makes stuff stick in your brain. Like that time I couldn’t forget “Peter Piper picked…” for days.
• It’s fun! Like a little sound puzzle in sentences.

Consonance in Daily Speech — No Fancy Pants Needed

You’re probably dropping consonance bombs in convo without even noticing. Like:

“He struck a streak of bad luck.”
Hard “k” sounds popping. Boom, consonance.

Or the classic:
“The cat caught the cold.”
Hard “c” sounds for days.

Tongue Twisters — Consonance’s Playground

You ever try to say, “She sells seashells by the seashore” five times fast? That’s consonance and alliteration teaming up to mess with your tongue.

Or “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” — consonance city.

I tried these at a family BBQ once and nearly choked on my burger. Not my finest hour.

Ads That Stick Because of Consonance

Marketers know the score. That catchy jingles? Hecka full of consonance.

• “Best Buy.” The double “b” makes it punchy.
• “Coca-Cola.” Try not to hum it now.
• “PayPal.” Simple and sharp.

Those cracked watering cans from Pete’s Hardware on 5th Ave probably survived more overwatering than my first herb garden. RIP, Gary the basil.

Consonance in Songs and Speeches

Ever notice how some lyrics just hit? Consonance helps:

• Beatles’ “Let it Be” — “Whisper words of wisdom…” — that “w” sound soothes you.
• Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” — the “d” in had and all wraps it up nice.

Speeches? MLK’s “I Have a Dream” is packed with consonance to give it that punchy flow:

“Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley.”

That “d” sound creeps through the sentence like a drumbeat.

Spotting Consonance — A Quick How-To

Here’s how I learned to catch consonance:

• Listen, don’t just read. Feel the consonants bouncing.
• Look for words chilling close, not spread out.
• Focus on sounds, not letters. Like how “c” and “k” can be twins in sound.

You need nitrogen-rich soil—wait, no, was it potassium? Let me Google that again… See, even I get distracted.

Practice Makes Perfect

Try these on your tongue:

• “Mike likes his new bike.” (Hello, hard “k”)
• “The lumpy, bumpy road.” (That “mp” combo’s gold.)
• “I will crawl away the ball.” (Double “ll” for the win.)

What Makes a Consonant Great for Consonance?

Certain consonants just do the job better:

• S for that soft, hissing effect.
• L for silky smooth vibes.
• T and K for sharp punch.
• M and N bring nasal softness.
• R for rolling resonance.

The Weird Stuff You Didn’t Know About Consonance

Fun fact: Victorian folks believed talking to ferns could keep you sane. I talk to my begonias just in case they have better secrets.

Recap: Consonance Examples Everywhere

Final Words — Or Whatever

Consonance isn’t just for English majors or poets. It’s this weird, sneaky sound trick hiding in your daily life and your favorite books. Now that you’re in on the secret, maybe you’ll notice it next time you’re chatting or reading.

If you want to get fancy, try slipping some consonance into your own writing. But hey, if you mess up like I do sometimes, just blame it on the coffee. Speaking of which, I spilled some on my handwritten notes for this article. Smudged half the page but hey, that’s the charm, right?