Writing Focus: Assonance

Assonance is a technique that can be used for a variety of writing types. Whether you use it in a story or in the more common areas of poetry or lyrics, it can be an incredibly powerful tool that emphasises a point really well! The use of assonance throughout a poem can really tie together separate lines and whole stanzas to give the poem the illusion of continuity.

What Is Assonance?

Essentially, assonance is the rhyming of vowel sounds. Lines that contain assonance will include words that all have the same vowel sounds throughout – not always just the same vowel, however! Anything that makes a sound like a vowel when pronounced counts as assonance. For instance, I, eye and y all make the same sound. If these were to be included in the same line, then this would also count as assonance.

A modern example of assonance in song would be Eminem’s "Criminal" – “Windows tinted on my ride when I drive in it” is a perfect example. Notice how the line uses repetition of the sound that I makes and how it just seems to make the line complete.

Tips

Don’t just stick to the same vowels! Branch out and have certain parts of your words forming the vowel sounds. As mentioned above, a great way to mimic the sound of I is to use the word eye – this could be something that you can use to further the plot of your poem as well as keeping up the assonance.

Use assonance to your advantage by using it throughout your poem. Don’t overdo it, but subtly include hints to an overall theme in the poem itself. You can tie together individual stanzas using this method and just give your poem an overall sense of being together.

Prompts

Assonance comes naturally to most, but if you’re looking to improve how you use it then check out these prompts!

1. Choose an overall vowel sound theme for your poem and write it with these aspects tying everything together.
2. Re-write a previous poem, paying particular attention to assonance used.
3. Tie together the first line of each stanza of a poem using a similar pattern of vowel sounds.

Poems

As always, Mibba’s poem section is full to the brim with amazing talent. The following examples really shine when it comes to assonance!

Sometimes and Other Times uses assonance to tie the main refrain together. Note the mix of vowel sounds e and o that helps that whole section flow almost effortlessly.

Stole starts off a wonderful pattern of vowel sounds right from the word go. The use of I ties the beginning and the end of the line together really well and pulls the reader in straight away.

Whether you use assonance as a literary tool or not, it’s definitely worth noting when it is used! Assonance is a really clever way of tying your pieces together and just gives poems that last finishing touch and, once mastered, is a skill that you should revere.

Special thanks to sheepcat; and aubs for editing!