Rhyme, a key component of poetry and song, brings a melodious touch to compositions. Its power is not only to make language and words sound better but also to allow their meaning to have more impact. It’s a delivery system of words that can make a simple line or phrase hit even harder.
What is Rhyme in Writing?
First, let’s define rhyme
Let's read into the world of rhymes, starting with a basic definition and then guiding you through the myriad types that exist, each offering its own unique musicality and rhythm to a piece.
RHYME DEFINITION
What is rhyme in writing?
A rhyme is a literary device that employs repetition of similar sounds in the final stressed syllables of lines in poems or songs. The earliest rhymes were used in ancient times with the aim of making oral storytelling easier. Fast forward to today, and rhymes have become a crucial stylistic feature in the world of literature and music. They provide rhythm, beauty, and a way to accentuate the theme or mood of the piece. Rhymes can be simple or complex, perfect or imperfect, depending on the effect the writer or poet wants to achieve.
What is Rhyme Used For?
- Memorable Storytelling
- Artistic Expression
- Rhythm/Harmonious Creation
Types of Rhyme
Perfect Rhymes
Perfect rhymes, as the name suggests, are a delightful match. They occur when the final stressed syllables of two or more words share identical sounds, like 'cat' and 'hat', or 'moon' and 'spoon'. These rhymes are incredibly common, and you've probably encountered them countless times. For instance, you might recall the playful rhyme between 'moon' and 'spoon' that adds a touch of whimsy to children's literature.
Rhyme Examples
Imperfect Rhymes
Imperfect rhymes, also referred to as half-rhymes, slant rhymes, or near rhymes, are those cunning little devils that sound almost but not quite the same. They add a touch of uniqueness, but still captivating in their own distinctive way.
For instance, consider the pairing of "moon" and "bone" - not a perfect match, but an intriguing melodic twist that adds contrast and depth to the composition.
What are Eye Rhymes?
Eye Rhymes
Some sneaky rhymes can only be appreciated when written, not spoken. These are called eye rhymes and occur when words look like they should rhyme, but they don't actually sound the same.
Examples include 'love' and 'move', or 'bough' and 'enough'. Eye rhymes create a visual appeal, making them perfect for written poetry.
Rhyme Examples
Identical Rhymes
Identical rhymes, also known as 'rime riche' or rich rhyme, occur when words not only share the same final stressed syllables but also have identical pronunciation. These rhymes add a layer of sophistication and elegance to the composition.
A classic example is the famous line from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: "Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say good night till it be morrow."
rhyme literary device
Internal Rhymes
While most rhymes occur at the end of lines or verses, internal rhymes spice things up a bit by occurring within a line. They add an unexpected twist and can create a playful rhythm to the composition. Take hip hop music for example, where internal rhymes are often used to add a catchy and dynamic flow.
The lyric "I'll be living proof that dreams come true" by rapper J. Cole is a perfect example of an internal rhyme.
what does rhyme mean
End Rhymes
End rhymes, also known as terminal rhymes or tail rhymes, occur at the end of lines in poetry or songs. They are perhaps the most well-known type of rhyme and can add structure, symmetry, and coherence to a piece.
In musical compositions, end rhymes are used to create a hook or memorable chorus that listeners can easily sing along to. In poetry, they provide a satisfying conclusion and bring the piece full circle. For example, in the famous poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost, the end rhyme of 'queer' and 'here' adds a musical quality to the final line: "And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep."
What is the Rhyme Scheme?
Types of Rhyme Schemes
In addition to the various types of rhyme, there are also different rhyme schemes that poets and songwriters can use to add structure and create different effects in their works.
Couplet
A rhyme scheme in which two lines have end rhymes.
Example: "I think that I shall never see / A poem lovely as a tree."
Triplet
A rhyme scheme in which three lines have end rhymes.
Example: "Whose woods these are I think I know / His house is in the village though / He will not see me stopping here."
Quatrain
A rhyme scheme in which four lines have end rhymes.
Example: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? / Thou art more lovely and more temperate / Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May / And summer's lease hath all too short a date."
Alternate Rhyme
A rhyme scheme in which every other line has an end rhyme.
Example: "I wandered lonely as a cloud / That floats on high o'er vales and hills / When all at once I saw a crowd / A host, of golden daffodils."
Cross Rhyme
A rhyme scheme in which every other line has an end rhyme that shares a sound with the lines before and after it.
Example: "I scream, you scream / We all scream for ice cream / In the park, after dark / We'll embark on this sweet dream."
Enclosed Rhyme
A rhyme scheme in which the first and last lines have end rhymes, and the inner two lines have their own separate end rhyme.
Example: "Whose woods these are I think I know / His house is in the village though / He will not see me stopping here / To watch his woods fill up with snow."
Monorhyme
A rhyme scheme in which all lines have the same end rhyme.
Example: "I saw a ship a-sailing / On the sea, a-sailing ship / Sailing o'er the bounding main / As the waves began to whip."
Chain Rhyme
A rhyme scheme in which each line has an end rhyme that links to the next line's end rhyme.
Example: "I saw a peacock with a fiery tail / I saw a blazing comet drop down hail / I saw a cloud with ivy circled round / I saw a sturdy oak creep on the ground."
Terza Rima
A rhyme scheme in which each tercet (group of three lines) has its own end rhymes, but the last line connects to the first line of the next tercet.
Example: "Ode to the West Wind" by Percy Bysshe Shelley:
"If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? / And thus the heart will break, yet brokenly live on / And be a friend to man, to whom thou sayest"
Ballade
A rhyme scheme in which there are three stanzas with end rhymes and a final refrain that repeats the last line of the first stanza.
Example: "Ballade des dames du temps jadis" by François Villon:
"Say, where are the snows of yesteryear? / Where's the snowfall of yesteryear? / The snows of yesteryear where are they, say?"
Rhyme may seem like a tool that is purely aesthetic, a way to make words and phrases sing so that readers will be more interested in what we have to say. While this is also true, rhyme has the power to transform how words feel. And the power of this lies in the emotional impact of rhyme, one that should not be underestimated.
Up Next
Different Types of Poems
Now that we've explored the world of rhymes and their various forms, let's explore how some writers put these types of rhymes to use in our next article.
