What is Exact Rhyme? 🎶

Exact rhyme (pronounced ig-ZAKT rahym) is a literary device where the final consonant and vowel sounds of two or more words are identical. This type of rhyme creates a strong, harmonious effect and is often used in poetry, songs, and prose to add musicality and emphasis.

How Writers Use Exact Rhyme ✍️

Writers use exact rhyme to:

1. Create Rhythm: Establish a regular pattern of sounds that enhances the musical quality of the text.
2. Emphasize Ideas: Highlight important words or concepts through repetition of sounds.
3. Add Aesthetic Appeal: Make the writing more pleasing to the ear and memorable.
4. Support Structure: Reinforce the form and structure of poems and songs.

Types of Exact Rhyme 📝

Type	Example	Usage
End Rhyme	“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary.”	Rhymes at the end of lines.
Internal Rhyme	“I went to town to buy a gown.”	Rhymes within a single line.
Perfect Rhyme	“sky” and “high”	Exact matching sounds in stressed syllables.
Slant Rhyme	“room” and “storm”	Almost, but not exactly matching sounds.

Exact Rhyme Rules 📏

Rule	Explanation
Matching Sounds	Ensure the final consonant and vowel sounds match exactly.
Stress and Syllables	Match the stressed syllables for a perfect rhyme.
Natural Flow	Maintain the natural flow of the language without forcing rhymes.
Consistency	Use rhymes consistently to establish a pattern.
Appropriate Context	Ensure the rhymes fit the tone and context of the piece.

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Examples in Literature, Poetry, Songs, Movies, and Advertising

Exact Rhyme in Literature 📚

Exact rhyme is often used in literature to create memorable and impactful passages. Here are some famous examples:

Author	Work	Example
Edgar Allan Poe	The Raven	“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary.”
Robert Frost	Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening	“He gives his harness bells a shake to ask if there is some mistake.”
Emily Dickinson	Because I Could Not Stop for Death	“He kindly stopped for me; The Carriage held but just Ourselves – And Immortality.”

Exact Rhyme in Children’s Books 📖

In children’s literature, exact rhyme makes stories more engaging and easier to remember:

Author	Work	Example
Dr. Seuss	Green Eggs and Ham	“I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam-I-Am.”
Shel Silverstein	Where the Sidewalk Ends	“There is a place where the sidewalk ends and before the street begins.”
Roald Dahl	Charlie and the Chocolate Factory	“In the great glass elevator, the chocolate river flows; and in the factory, the Oompa Loompas know.”

Exact Rhyme in Poetry ✒️

Poets use exact rhyme to create harmonious and memorable verses:

Poet	Poem	Example
William Wordsworth	I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud	“A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”
Langston Hughes	Dreams	“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”
Robert Burns	A Red, Red Rose	“O my Luve’s like a red, red rose that’s newly sprung in June; O my Luve’s like the melodie that’s sweetly played in tune.”

Exact Rhyme in Songs 🎶

Songwriters use exact rhyme to create catchy and memorable lyrics:

Artist	Song	Example
The Beatles	Let It Be	“When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.”
Taylor Swift	Love Story	“Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone. I’ll be waiting; all there’s left to do is run.”
Bob Dylan	Blowin’ in the Wind	“The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind. The answer is blowin’ in the wind.”

Exact Rhyme in Movies 🎬

Exact rhyme in films can enhance dialogue and create memorable scenes:

Movie	Scene	Example
The Wizard of Oz	Dorothy’s song	“Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, there’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.”
Mary Poppins	Opening scene	“Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee! A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be.”
Frozen	Elsa’s song	“Let it go, let it go, can’t hold it back anymore. Let it go, let it go, turn away and slam the door.”

Somewhere over the rainbow – The Wizard of Oz

Chim chiminey – Mary Poppins

Let it go – Frozen

Exact Rhyme in Advertising 📢

Marketers use exact rhyme to create memorable and impactful slogans:

Brand	Ad Campaign	Example
Kit Kat	Have a Break	“Have a break, have a Kit Kat.”
Folgers	The Best Part of Wakin’ Up	“The best part of wakin’ up is Folgers in your cup.”
Subway	Eat Fresh	“Subway, eat fresh.”

Have a Break – Kit Kat

The Best Part of Wakin’ Up – Folgers

Eat Fresh – Subway

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FAQs about Exact Rhyme

What is exact rhyme in literature? 🤔

Exact rhyme is a literary device where the final consonant and vowel sounds of two or more words are identical, creating a harmonious and pleasing effect.

How do you write a good exact rhyme? 🖊️

To write a good exact rhyme, match the final consonant and vowel sounds exactly, ensure the rhymes fit naturally within the context, and use them consistently to establish a rhythmic pattern.

Can exact rhyme be used in modern writing? 📘

Yes, exact rhyme can be effectively used in modern writing, including poetry, songs, and advertising, to create memorable and impactful lines.

Are exact rhyme and slant rhyme the same? ❓

No, exact rhyme involves identical final consonant and vowel sounds, while slant rhyme involves similar but not identical sounds, creating a subtler effect.

Related Devices 📚

Slant Rhyme

A type of rhyme with similar but not identical sounds, also known as half rhyme or near rhyme.

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words to create internal rhyming.

Consonance

The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words in a phrase or sentence.

Alliteration

The repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a series of words.

By mastering the use of exact rhyme, you can enhance your writing, making it more rhythmic, engaging, and memorable! 🌟