Sound Device

Introduction

A sound device is a literary device writers and poets use to enhance the auditory experience of their work and create specific effects on their readers or listeners. These devices manipulate the sound patterns, rhythm, and structure of language to evoke emotions, create imagery, and engage the audience.

Examples of sound devices include alliteration in which the repetition of consonant sounds occurs within a phrase or sentence. Another is an onomatopoeia which shows the words imitating natural sounds. Both contribute to the aesthetic impact of the written or spoken piece. There are several types of sound devices such as follows.

Types of Sound Devices

Type	Short Definition	Examples
Alliteration	This sound device is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a sequence of words or lines.	Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.She sells seashells by the seashore.
Assonance	This device is the repetition of vowel sounds within words or phrases, creating a harmonious effect.	Fleet feet sweep by sleeping geese.The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.
Consonance	This sound device is the repetition of consonant sounds at the end or in the middle of words.	Stroke of luck.Mad as a hatter.
Onomatopoeia	This sound device means using words that phonetically imitate or resemble the natural sounds they describe.	The buzzing bee flew by.The cow goes “moo.”
Rhyme	This sound device is the repetition of similar sounds at the end of words, commonly used in poetry.	The cat in the hat sat on the mat.
Euphony	It is the use of harmonious and pleasant sounds, contributing to a soothing and melodious quality in writing.	Sweet melodies drifted through the air.The gentle breeze rustled the leaves.
Cacophony	This sound device uses harsh and discordant sounds, creating a sense of tension and dissonance in writing.	The screeching brakes of the car.The clash of thunder and lightning.
Meter	It is a regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry, forming rhythmic structures.	Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

Function and Purpose of Sound Devices

1. Alliteration:

Function: Alliteration creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in the writing by repeating initial consonant sounds.

Purpose: It emphasizes specific words or phrases, making them more memorable and drawing attention to important concepts or ideas.

2. Assonance:

Function: The sound device assonance enhances the harmony and flow of the language by repeating vowel sounds within words or phrases.

Purpose: It adds a sense of unity and smoothness to the writing, creating a pleasing and melodic effect that engages the reader.

3. Consonance:

Function: Consonance adds a subtle musical quality to the writing by repeating consonant sounds at the end or in the middle of words.

Purpose: It reinforces certain words or themes, contributing to the overall aesthetic appeal and evoking emotions or moods.

4. Onomatopoeia:

Function: The sound device onomatopoeia imitates real-world sounds, bringing a vivid and sensory experience to the writing.

Purpose: It helps to create imagery and a more immersive environment, enabling the reader to visualize and connect with the content.

5. Rhyme:

Function: Rhyme creates a sense of unity and pattern in the writing by repeating similar sounds at the end of words.

Purpose: It enhances the poetic and musical quality of the text, making it easier to remember and providing a satisfying cadence.

6. Euphony:

Function: The sound device euphony utilizes pleasant and melodious sounds to create a soothing and harmonious atmosphere.

Purpose: It evokes positive emotions and creates an enjoyable reading experience, making the content more captivating and pleasant.

7. Cacophony:

Function: Cacophony employs harsh and discordant sounds to evoke tension, discomfort, or chaos.

Purpose: It can be used to reflect a character’s emotions, add dramatic effect, or convey a sense of turmoil and unrest in the narrative.

8. Meter:

Function: The sound device meter establishes a rhythmic structure in poetry, organizing stressed and unstressed syllables in a consistent pattern.

Purpose: It enhances the musicality of poetry, helping to control the pace and flow of the verse, and creating a specific emotional tone.

9. Onomatopoeic words:

Function: Onomatopoeic words directly imitate sounds, allowing readers to hear the noises described.

Purpose: They bring a sensory experience to the writing, making it more vivid and engaging for the audience.

Suggested Readings of Sound Device

1. Abrams, M. H., & Harpham, G. G. A Glossary of Literary Terms. 11th ed., Cengage Learning, 2014.
2. Bates, Brian R. Wordsworth’s Poetic Collections, Supplementary Writing and Parodic Reception. Routledge, 2015.
3. Fussell, Paul. Poetic Meter and Poetic Form. McGraw-Hill, 1966.
4. David, Abram. The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World. Vintage, 2017.
5. Oliver, Mary. A Poetry Handbook. Mariner Books, 2005.
6. Preminger, Alex, and T. V. F. Brogan, editors. The New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics. Princeton University Press, 1993.
7. Perloff, Marjorie, and Craig Dworkin, eds. The Sound of Poetry/The Poetry of Sound. University of Chicago Press, 2009.