Is wail an onomatopoeia

In depends in what context you are using the onomatopoeia, do what seems right. When using it as a hook at the beginning of an essay or short story, I would. ex. "Bang!" Alex's body lay motionless in the soil. Usually you would, but in some instances it is not nessecary. ex. The book fell off the shelf, boom! Quotations could still be used here, but are not required.