What type of literary device is used when the repetition of consonant sounds occurs at the beginning of words?

The correct answer is alliteration, which is a literary device characterized by the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in close proximity. This technique is often used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, enhance mood, and emphasize certain phrases or themes.

For instance, in phrases like "wild and woolly," the repeated 'w' sound contributes to a lively and engaging auditory experience for the reader. Alliteration can also make certain parts of text more memorable and can serve to bind the words together in a way that enhances their overall impact in the narrative or poetic structure.

In contrast, rising action refers to the series of events in a story that build tension leading to the climax. A synonym is a word that has a similar meaning to another word, and a stanza is a grouped set of lines in a poem, much like a paragraph in prose. These terms pertain to different literary concepts and do not involve the sound repetition characteristic of alliteration.