1. Poetic Meter How to scan for meaning

2. The Four Basic Metrical Patterns IAMBIC METER (unstressed, stressed) ( U / ) U / U / U / U / U / U / U / U / I dare do all that may become a man, who dares do more is none. Now, compose your own line (a phrase or sentence) in iambic meter. And when I’m on the microphone you best to wear your sweater.

3. The Four Basic Metrical Patterns TROCHAIC METER (stressed, unstressed) ( / U ) / U / U / U / U / Hover through the fog and filthy air. Now, compose your own line (a phrase or sentence) in trochaic meter. ‘Cause I’m cooler than a polar bear’s toenails. (Spondee = two successive stressed syllables ( / / ) for emphasis)

4. The Four Basic Metrical Patterns ANAPESTIC METER (unstressed, unstressed, stressed) ( U U / ) U U / U U / U U / Understand what the king has decreed. Now, compose your own line (a phrase or sentence) in anapestic meter. Have you ever went over a friend’s house to eat and the food…

5. The Four Basic Metrical Patterns DACTYLLIC METER (stressed, unstressed, unstressed) ( / U U ) / U U / U U / U U / U U / U U Out of the cradle we’re endlessly rocking him carefully. Now, compose your own line (a phrase or sentence) in dactyllic meter. Merrily putting the strawberries into the salad bowl.

6. Scanning Rap We call the act of determining the metrical patters “scansion.” Try “scanning” these lines from Outkast: Softly, as if I played piano in the dark, Found a way to channel my anger not to embark, The world's a stage and everybody's got to play their part. No drugs or alcohol so I can get the signal clear as day, Put my glock away, I got a stronger weapon That nev’r runs out of ammunition so I'm ready fo’ war, okay.

7. Metrical Feet Each metrical unit of poetry is called a “foot.” The easiest way to determine the number of feet in a verse is to add up the number of stresses in a line of poetry.  Monometer = 1 foot  Dimeter = 2 feet  Trimeter = 3 feet  Tetrameter = 4 feet  Pentameter = 5 feet  Hexameter = 6 feet  Heptameter = 7 feet  Octameter = 8 feet

8. Homer’s Verse Combine the type of meter with the number of feet to describe a poem in such terms as “iambic pentameter” or “trochaic tetrameter.” Use your scansion skills to categorize Homer’s verse: Far from the suitors, in fear that the stranger annoyed by the uproar Loathing for food might feel, with that insolent rabble about him; Ay and he also was fain of his long-lost father to ask him. Water for washing of hands by a maiden was brought in an ewer Beautiful, golden, and over a basin of silver she poured it, Bidding him wash; and she stationed a polished table beside him.