1. Syllables and Rhyme Scheme Elements of Poetry

2. Syllable Count  In order to fully understand poetry, you have to be able to correctly divide words into their syllables.  You have to look at the word and listen to how it sounds in order to do this, and it takes some practice!

3. Syllable Count cont.  Sometimes counting the syllables on your fingers as you say the word is the easy way to start.  How many syllables does the word “classroom” have?

4. Syllable Count cont.  How about these words?  Paper  Syllable  Poetry  Dictionary

5. Dividing  You also have to know how to divide the word into syllables on paper.  You simply separate the syllables with a dividing line.  Example: divide the word “classroom” into its syllables

6. RHYME SCHEME  The pattern of end rhyme in a stanza or poem.  You are looking at the last word of each line in order to determine rhyme scheme.

7. RHYME SCHEME CONT.  Generally labeled with lower-case letters, with each letter assigned a different ending sound.  You always label the first line as “a” and then go from there.

8. For example…  Take the first 2 lines of a popular nursery rhyme:   Sing a song of sixpence, a   A pocket full of rye,   You label the first line as “a”.   Does the second line rhyme with the first?

9.  No, it doesn’t…so you label it with the next letter and then look at the next line.   Sing a song of sixpence, a   A pocket full of rye,b   Four and twenty blackbirds,   What letter do you give the 3 rd line?

10.  Since it doesn’t rhyme with either of the first 2 lines, you give it a “c” and then continue on.   Sing a song of sixpence, a   A pocket full of rye,b   Four and twenty blackbirds,c   Baked in a pie.   What do you label the 4 th line? Be careful!

11.  Since “pie” rhymes with “rye”, it gets the same letter (b).   Sing a song of sixpence, a   A pocket full of rye,b   Four and twenty blackbirds,c   Baked in a pie.b

12. Here’s the entire poem… Sing a song of sixpence, a A pocket full of rye,b Four and twenty blackbirds,c Baked in a pie.b When the pie was opened,d The birds began to sing.e Was this not a dainty dishf To set before the king?e

13. Remember…  General rule when labeling rhyme scheme…  Any lines who end with words that rhyme get the same letter throughout the entire poem.