Final answer:
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words that are close together, used to convey rhythm and emotion in literature. An example is the 'ea' sound in Edgar Allan Poe's line from his poem.
Step-by-step explanation:
Assonance is a literary device involving the repetition of vowel sounds within words that are in close proximity to one another. It is common in both poetry and prose to create a particular rhythmic effect or to emphasize certain emotions or themes. For instance, take the line “my mouth wound itself around the soulful sounds of the poem's words.” In this example, there is an evident repetition of the 'ou' sound, helping to convey a more musical or emotional tone to the text.
Edgar Allan Poe's poem containing the line “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary” showcases assonance with the repetition of the 'ea' sound. It emphasizes the dreariness and exhaustion felt by the narrator.
To contrast with assonance, consonance involves the repetition of consonant sounds, and alliteration is specifically the repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of closely positioned words, like 'silly snakes slither silently.' However, the student's question pertains specifically to assonance.