Introduction
End rhyme is a literary device where the last words or syllables of lines in a poem rhyme with each other. This technique creates a sense of rhythm, unity, and musicality, making the poem more enjoyable to read and listen to. End rhyme can also help emphasize key themes and ideas within the poem.
Pronunciation
end rahym
How Writers Use End Rhyme
Writers use end rhyme to:
- Create Rhythm: Establish a musical quality that enhances the reading experience.
- Emphasize Ideas: Highlight important themes or concepts through rhyming words.
- Enhance Unity: Link lines together to create a cohesive structure.
- Add Aesthetic Appeal: Make the poem more pleasing to read and hear.
- Facilitate Memorization: Make the poem easier to remember due to the rhyming pattern.
Types of End Rhyme
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect Rhyme | The final stressed vowel and all following sounds are identical. | “sky” and “high” |
| Slant Rhyme | The final sounds are similar but not identical. | “shape” and “keep” |
| Rich Rhyme | The rhymed words are identical in sound but different in meaning. | “stair” and “stare” |
| Eye Rhyme | The words look like they should rhyme based on spelling but sound different. | “love” and “move” |
| Identical Rhyme | The exact same word is repeated at the end of different lines. | “night” and “night” |
Rules of End Rhyme
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Consistency | Maintain a consistent rhyme scheme throughout the poem. |
| Clarity | Ensure the rhyming words contribute to the poem’s meaning and clarity. |
| Appropriateness | Use end rhyme where it naturally fits the rhythm and tone of the poem. |
| Variety | Mix different types of end rhyme to keep the poem interesting. |
| Balance | Balance rhyme with other poetic devices to avoid overuse. |
Examples of End Rhyme in Different Media
End Rhyme in Literature
| Title | Author | Example |
|---|---|---|
| The Raven | Edgar Allan Poe | “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary.” |
| Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening | Robert Frost | “Whose woods these are I think I know, His house is in the village though.” |
| A Visit from St. Nicholas | Clement Clarke Moore | “Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” |
End Rhyme in Children’s Books
| Title | Author | Example |
| Green Eggs and Ham | Dr. Seuss | “I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them, Sam-I-am.” |
| Where the Sidewalk Ends | Shel Silverstein | “There is a place where the sidewalk ends, And before the street begins.” |
| Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? | Bill Martin Jr. | “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? I see a red bird looking at me.” |
End Rhyme in Poetry
| Poem | Poet | Example |
| Sonnet 18 | William Shakespeare | “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.” |
| The Tyger | William Blake | “Tyger Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night.” |
| Ode to the West Wind | Percy Bysshe Shelley | “O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn’s being, Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead.” |
End Rhyme in Songs
| Song | Artist | Example |
| Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star | Traditional | “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are.” |
| Hey Jude | The Beatles | “Hey Jude, don’t make it bad, Take a sad song and make it better.” |
| Shake It Off | Taylor Swift | “Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate.” |
End Rhyme in Movies
| Movie | Scene | Example |
| The Sound of Music | “Do-Re-Mi” song | “Doe, a deer, a female deer, Ray, a drop of golden sun.” |
| Mary Poppins | “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” song | “Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious, If you say it loud enough you’ll always sound precocious.” |
| The Wizard of Oz | “Over the Rainbow” song | “Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.” |
YouTube Links:
- The Sound of Music – “Do-Re-Mi”
- Mary Poppins – “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”
- The Wizard of Oz – “Over the Rainbow”
End Rhyme in Advertising
| Advertisement | Company | Example |
| I’m Lovin’ It | McDonald’s | “Ba da ba ba ba, I’m lovin’ it.” |
| Kit Kat | Nestlé | “Give me a break, give me a break, Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar.” |
| Nationwide is on Your Side | Nationwide Insurance | “Nationwide is on your side.” |
YouTube Links:
FAQs about End Rhyme
What is end rhyme in literature?
End rhyme in literature is the rhyming of the final words or syllables of lines in a poem.
How does end rhyme differ from internal rhyme?
End rhyme occurs at the end of lines, while internal rhyme occurs within a single line of poetry.
Can end rhyme be used in all types of writing?
End rhyme is most commonly used in poetry and songs but can also be found in children’s books, advertising, and some prose.
Why is end rhyme important in writing?
End rhyme is important because it creates rhythm, emphasizes ideas, enhances unity, adds aesthetic appeal, and facilitates memorization.
Related Devices
Internal Rhyme
Rhyme that occurs within a single line of poetry.
Slant Rhyme
Rhyme in which the final sounds are similar but not identical.
Alliteration
The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
Assonance
The repetition of vowel sounds within words.
Consonance
The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words.