What is rhyme?
Rhyme is not the same as rhythm. Rhyme refers to patterns of common
sounds. The most common type of rhyme occurs 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 an old
man with a beard, |
A |
| Who said, “It ‘s
just as I feared! |
A |
| Two owls and a hen, |
B |
| Four larks and a wren, |
B |
| Have all built their nests in my beard. |
A |
Edward Lear |
|
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.”
| “The Forsaken” |
| Duncan Campbell Scott |
Once in the winter
Out on a lake
In the heart of the north-land,
Far from the Fort
And far from the hunters,
A Chippewa woman
With her sick baby,
Crouched in the last hours
Of a great storm. |
|