Rhyme Scheme

What is a Rhyme Scheme? 🤔

Pronunciation: /raɪm skiːm/

A rhyme scheme is the ordered pattern of rhymes at the ends of lines in a poem or verse. It is typically described using letters to denote which lines rhyme with each other. For example, a simple ABAB rhyme scheme means that the first and third lines rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other.

How Writers Use Rhyme Schemes 🖋️

Writers use rhyme schemes to create rhythm, enhance musicality, and provide structure to their poems and songs. Rhyme schemes can also help to emphasize certain words or themes and make the text more memorable. Different rhyme schemes can evoke different moods and tones, making them a versatile tool in the writer’s arsenal.

Types of Rhyme Schemes 📝

TypeDescriptionExample
AABBEach pair of lines rhymes.“The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout. / Down came the rain and washed the spider out.”
ABABAlternating rhymes between lines.“The road not taken, by Robert Frost: Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, / And sorry I could not travel both.”
ABBAThe first and fourth lines rhyme, and the second and third lines rhyme.“In Memoriam, by Alfred Tennyson: I hold it true, whate’er befall; / I feel it, when I sorrow most; / ‘Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all.”
ABCABCEach set of three lines rhymes in alternating patterns.“Rhyme scheme example: The bird sang in the oak tree tall, / Leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, / Its melody a nature’s call.”
AABBA (Limerick)The first, second, and fifth lines rhyme, and the third and fourth lines rhyme.“There once was a man from Nantucket / Who kept all his cash in a bucket. / But his daughter, named Nan, / Ran away with a man, / And as for the bucket, Nantucket.”

Rules for Using Rhyme Schemes 📘

RuleDescription
Choose a Consistent PatternSelect a rhyme scheme that fits the overall structure and theme of your work.
Maintain Flow and RhythmEnsure the rhyme scheme enhances the natural flow and rhythm of the text.
Avoid Forcing RhymesLet the rhymes emerge naturally; avoid bending sentences just to make them rhyme.
Enhance Meaning and ThemeUse rhymes to highlight key ideas and themes, adding depth to the text.
Adapt as NeededFeel free to break the pattern if it serves a creative purpose.

Rhyme Scheme in Literature: Structured Verses 📚

WorkAuthorExample
“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”Robert Frost“Whose woods these are I think I know. (A) / His house is in the village though; (A) / He will not see me stopping here (B) / To watch his woods fill up with snow.” (A)
“Sonnet 18”William Shakespeare“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? (A) / Thou art more lovely and more temperate: (B) / Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, (A) / And summer’s lease hath all too short a date:” (B)
“The Tyger”William Blake“Tyger Tyger, burning bright, (A) / In the forests of the night; (A) / What immortal hand or eye, (B) / Could frame thy fearful symmetry?” (B)

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Rhyme Scheme in Children’s Books: Rhyming Adventures 📖

BookAuthorExample
“Green Eggs and Ham”Dr. Seuss“I do not like green eggs and ham. (A) / I do not like them, Sam-I-Am. (A)”
“The Cat in the Hat”Dr. Seuss“The sun did not shine. (A) / It was too wet to play. (B) / So we sat in the house (C) / All that cold, cold, wet day.” (B)
“Goodnight Moon”Margaret Wise Brown“Goodnight stars, (A) / Goodnight air, (B) / Goodnight noises (C) / Everywhere.” (B)

Watch “Rhyme Scheme in Children’s Books”:


Rhyme Scheme in Poetry: Harmonious Patterns 🖋

PoemPoetExample
“The Road Not Taken”Robert Frost“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, (A) / And sorry I could not travel both (B) / And be one traveler, long I stood (A) / And looked down one as far as I could (A)”
“Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night”Dylan Thomas“Do not go gentle into that good night, (A) / Old age should burn and rave at close of day; (B) / Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” (A)
“The Raven”Edgar Allan Poe“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, (A) / Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore— (B) / While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, (A) / As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.” (B)

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Rhyme Scheme in Songs: Catchy Choruses 🎶

Song TitleArtistExample
“Hey Jude”The Beatles“Hey Jude, don’t make it bad. (A) / Take a sad song and make it better. (B) / Remember to let her into your heart, (C) / Then you can start to make it better.” (B)
“Shake It Off”Taylor Swift“‘Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play (A) / And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate (B) / Baby, I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake (A) / I shake it off, I shake it off.” (B)
“Bohemian Rhapsody”Queen“I’m just a poor boy, nobody loves me. (A) / He’s just a poor boy from a poor family, (A) / Spare him his life from this monstrosity.” (A)

Listen to “Rhyme Scheme in Songs”:


Rhyme Scheme in Movies: Memorable Lyrics 🎥

Movie TitleDirectorExample
“Mary Poppins”Robert Stevenson“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, (A) / Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious.” (A)
“The Wizard of Oz”Victor Fleming“We’re off to see the Wizard, (A) / The wonderful Wizard of Oz. (B) / You’ll find he is a whiz of a Wiz (A) / If ever a Wiz there was.” (B)
“The Sound of Music”Robert Wise“Doe, a deer, a female deer, (A) / Ray, a drop of golden sun. (B) / Me, a name I call myself, (C) / Far, a long, long way to run.” (B)

Watch “Rhyme Scheme in Movies”:

  • [Mary Poppins – Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious](https://www.youtube.com/watch

?v=uZNRzc3hWvE)


Rhyme Scheme in Advertising: Catchy Slogans 📢

Ad CampaignBrandExample
“I’m Lovin’ It”McDonald’s“Ba da ba ba ba, I’m lovin’ it.”
“Have a Break, Have a Kit Kat”Kit Kat“Have a break, have a Kit Kat.”
“The Best Part of Wakin’ Up”Folgers Coffee“The best part of wakin’ up is Folgers in your cup.”

View “Rhyme Scheme in Advertising”:

FAQs about Rhyme Scheme ❓

What is a Rhyme Scheme?

A rhyme scheme is the ordered pattern of rhymes at the ends of lines in a poem or verse, typically described using letters to denote which lines rhyme with each other.

How is rhyme scheme used in poetry?

Rhyme schemes create rhythm, enhance musicality, and provide structure to poems, making them more engaging and memorable.

Can rhyme schemes be used in prose?

Rhyme schemes are primarily used in poetry and songs, but elements of rhyme can be used in prose, especially in dialogue or lyrical passages.

Why are rhyme schemes effective in children’s literature?

Rhyme schemes make the text more engaging and easier for children to remember, which helps in learning and retention.

Related Devices 📚

Alliteration

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in close proximity, used to create rhythm, mood, and emphasis.

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words, used to reinforce the meanings of words or to set the mood.

Consonance

The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words, used to create a harmonious effect.

Refrain

A repeated line or group of lines in a poem, song, or other literary work, used to emphasize an idea, create rhythm, or evoke emotion.

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