Rhythm and Meter

RhythmThe recurrence/repetition of stressed and

unstressed soundsCan be created through the repetition of

words and phrasesTypically created through accented or

unaccented syllables

VocabularySyllable Stress/AccentA sound part of a word Emphasizing with sound

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Vocabulary MeterA rhythmic pattern of stresses/accents in a

poemProsodyAll the metrical elements combinedScansionMeasuring/marking the stresses/accents in a

line or poemVerb is scan

VocabularyFootA metrical unit by which poetry is

scanned/measuredTypically has 1 stressed/accented and 1 or 2

unstressed/unaccentedA line is measured by how many feet it

containes

Common Foot PatternsFoot Syllabl

esPattern Example

Iamb (iambic) 2 Unstressed, stressed Away

Trochee (trochaic)

2 Stressed, unstressed Lovely

Anapest (anapestic)

3 Unstressed, unstressed, stressed

Understand

Dactyl (dactylic)

3 Stressed, unstressed, unstressed

Desperate

Spondee (spondaic)

2 Stressed, stressed Dead set

Iambic PentameterExposure to many, mastery of this one!A line of 5 feet of unstressed, stressed

Blank verse:Unrhymed iambic pentameterShakespeare!

VocabularyRising meterMove from unstressed to stressedFalling meterMove from stressed to unstressedMasculine endingA line that ends with a stressed syllableFeminine endingA line that ends with an unstressed syllable

VocabularyCaesuraA pause within a lineIndicated by double line when scanningEnd-stopped linePause at end of lineReflect normal speech patternsTypically marked with punctuationEnjambment Running from one line to anotherAlso called run-on line

PracticeOn one of the 2 poems provided, label:how many feet is in each lineWhich feet are rising meter and which are

falling meterWhich endings are masculine and which are

feminineWhich lines use enjambment

Tips for Scanning a Poem1. Count the syllables in each line2. Based on the syllables, decipher foot pattern3. Stress all syllables that are one major word 4. Look for two syllable words that have a root

word; stress the root word5. Notice pattern6. Use pattern, dictionary, and pronunciation

to figure out rest of accents