Poetry Basics

Poetic StructureA syllable is a single unit of sound.A foot is the basic unit of poetry made up of a pattern of syllables.Lines are measured by the number of feet they contain.Stanzas are formed by connected lines.Cantos are chapter-like divisions in long poems.

SyllablesSyllables are either stressed or not stressed.In a stressed syllable, the voice is tensed, goes up.In an unstressed syllable, the voice is relaxed, goes down.

FeetA feet create meter, the pattern of beats or accents.An iamb is a two-syllable foot of unstressed/stress.A trochee is a two-syllable foot of stressed/unstressed.An anapest is a three-syllable foot of unstressed/unstressed/stressed.A dactyl is a three-syllable foot of stressed/unstressed/unstressed.A spondee is a two-syllable foot of stressed/stressed.

ScansionWhen we analyze a poem's rhyme and meter, we are involved in an activity called scansion. We scan the poem to understand its form.

LinesLines are measured by the number of feet.

Stanzas1 line a line2 lines couplet3 lines tercet4 lines quatrain5 lines cinquain6 lines sestet7 lines septet8 lines octave

RhymeWhen a poem rhymes, we identify the rhyme sound with letters. Words that rhyme with each other get the same letter.We start with the first rhyme sound as a, the second sound as b, and so on.Rhyme scheme is important because some poems have a particular rhyme scheme, such as the English sonnet.

Types of RhymesEnd rhyme is formed by words at the end of lines.Internal rhyme is formed by words within the line.Masculine rhyme is when the last syllables of feet rhymeFeminine rhyme is when the penultimate syllables of feet rhyme.

Other Poetic TermsA caesura is a pause within a line. There can be more than one caesura in a line.When there is a natural pause at the end of the line, usually but not always marked with punctuation, the line is said to be end-stopped. When a line ends without a pause and the meaning runs into next line, which is referred to as enjambment, the line is said to be a run-on line.

Types of Poetry

Narrative poetry tells a storyLyric poetry presents a personal impression.