Which literary device involves the repetition of the same letter or sound at the beginning of closely connected words?

The correct choice is based on the definition of alliteration, which is the literary device involving the repetition of the same letter or sound at the beginning of closely connected words. This technique is often used to create rhythm, enhance mood, and emphasize particular phrases or themes within poetry and prose. For example, in phrases such as "wild and windy," the repetition of the initial 'w' sound exemplifies alliteration, enhancing the musical quality of the language.

While assonance and consonance also involve sound repetition, they do not meet the criterion of beginning sounds. Assonance focuses on the repetition of vowel sounds within closely placed words, regardless of their initial position, while consonance refers to repetitive sounds, typically consonants, that can occur at the end or in the middle of words, rather than exclusively at the start. Rhyme, on the other hand, involves the similarity of sounds at the end of words, not at the beginning. Thus, alliteration specifically targets the initial sounds, making it the clear answer.