Which of the following is an example of alliteration?

Alliteration is a literary device where words in close proximity start with the same consonant sound, creating a rhythmic and memorable effect. The phrase "She sells seashells by the seashore" is a prime example of alliteration because it features the repetition of the 's' sound at the beginning of multiple words: "She," "sells," "seashells," and "seashore." This repetition not only enhances the musical quality of the phrase but also makes it catchy and easier to remember.

In contrast, while the other choices contain interesting imagery or sound qualities, they do not demonstrate the consistent repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words to the same degree. For instance, "A happy day in May" includes the 'h' and 'm' sounds, but they are not repeated in a way that exemplifies alliteration. "The stars shone brightly at night" focuses more on light imagery and does not utilize the same first consonant sound in a notable way. Meanwhile, "The wind whispers softly" features a soft and soothing sound but lacks the prominent repetition necessary to classify it as alliteration.