Question:
Which poetic device is used in the line:
"She sells seashells by the seashore."
Which poetic device is used in the line:
"She sells seashells by the seashore."
"She sells seashells by the seashore."
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Alliteration is based on sound, not spelling.
The 'sh' sound in 'she' and 's' sound in 'sells' are closely related sibilant sounds, making this a classic textbook example of alliterative play.
The 'sh' sound in 'she' and 's' sound in 'sells' are closely related sibilant sounds, making this a classic textbook example of alliterative play.
Updated On: Jun 8, 2026
- Assonance
- Hyperbole
- Alliteration
- Repetition
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question asks to identify the poetic device used in the line: 'She sells seashells by the seashore.'
Recognizing literary techniques is a vital skill for literary appreciation and comprehension exams.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• Definition of Alliteration: Alliteration is a literary device characterized by the repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of adjacent or closely placed words in a sentence.
• Analyzing the Line: The line 'She sells seashells by the seashore' contains a rapid repetition of the sibilant sounds /s/ and /ʃ/ at the beginning of almost every word ('She', 'sells', 'seashells', 'seashore'). This is a classic tongue-twister designed around this phonetic repetition.
• Evaluating Option (A) - Assonance: Assonance involves the repetition of vowel sounds within words (such as the /e/ sound in 'sells' and 'shells'). While present, it is not the primary defining poetic device of this line.
• Evaluating Option (B) - Hyperbole: Hyperbole is an intentional exaggeration for emphasis. This sentence does not contain any exaggeration, so this option is incorrect.
• Evaluating Option (D) - Repetition: Repetition involves repeating the exact same word multiple times. Although the word parts 'sea' and 'shell' appear, the exact words are not repeated, making alliteration the more precise poetic device.
• Conclusion: The dominant literary device here is the repetition of the consonant sounds, which is the definition of Alliteration.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, the primary poetic device used is Alliteration, which is option (C).
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