What literary device involves the repetition of the first sounds in words?

The repetition of the first sounds in words is known as alliteration. This literary device is often used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, enhance the musical quality of language, and draw attention to specific phrases or ideas. For example, in the phrase "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers," the 'p' sound is repeated at the beginning of several words, creating a catchy and memorable effect. Alliteration can also help to establish mood or tone in a piece of writing, making it a powerful tool for authors. Other options, such as assonance, involve the repetition of vowel sounds, while onomatopoeia relates to words that imitate sounds, and meter pertains to the rhythmic structure of verses. Each of these serves a different purpose in literature, but alliteration specifically focuses on the initial sounds of words, which is why it is the correct answer.