What does the term "alliteration" refer to in literary terms?

The term "alliteration" specifically refers to the repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a sequence of words. This literary device is often used to create a musical quality in writing, enhance the rhythm, and make phrases more memorable. For example, in the phrase "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers," the repetition of the 'p' sound drives home the catchy nature of the phrase.

Alliteration can serve various purposes in poetry and prose, including drawing attention to specific ideas, creating mood, or establishing a tone that enhances the reader's experience. It is distinct from other literary devices such as assonance, which involves the repetition of vowel sounds, or imagery, which involves vivid descriptive language. The focus on initial consonant sounds is what makes alliteration a unique and useful tool in the writer's toolkit.