What is rhyme?
Rhyme is not the same as rhythm. Rhyme refers to patterns of common
sounds, while rhythm refers to the pattern of stressed and unstressed
syllables. There are different types of rhyme. The most common type of
rhyme involves patterns of similar sounds at the end of a line. The pattern
of rhyming sounds in a poem is called the “rhyme scheme”.
Rhyme schemes are indicated with letters. The letter A is written beside
the first line. All lines of the poem that rhyme with the first line also
receive the letter A. The next line not rhyming with the first line is
given the letter B. All sentences rhyming with this line are also given
the letter B. The process continues until all of the lines receive a letter.
Look at the example below.
| There was a young woman
of Glascow |
A |
| Whose party proved quite
a fiasco |
A |
| At 9:30 about |
B |
| The lights all went out, |
B |
| Through a lapse on the
part of the Gas Co. |
A |
Not all poems rhyme perfectly. Some poetry only has parts that rhyme.
This is called “imperfect rhyme”. Other poetry does not rhyme
at all. This is called “free verse”.
A one-foot waterfall-
it too makes noises
and at night is cool.
Issa (from Continent in Poverty)
|