1. Rhyme Scheme

2. A rhyme scheme is a regular pattern of rhyme, one that is consistent throughout the extent of the poem. A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhyming lines in a poem. Rhyme Scheme is rhymed words at the ends of lines.

3. How do I find Rhyme Scheme? Rhyme schemes are labeled according to their rhyme sounds. Every rhyme sound is given its own letter of the alphabet to distinguish it from the other rhyme sounds that may appear in the poem. For example, the first rhyme sound of a poem is designated as a. Every time that rhyme sound appears in the poem, no matter where it is found, it is called a. The second rhyme sound to appear in the poem is designated b. Every other time that rhyme sound appears in the poem, no matter where it is found, it is called b. The third rhyme sound to appear would be c, the fourth d, and so on, for as many rhyme sounds as appear in the poem.

4. Labeling Rhyme Scheme The following short poem illustrates the labeling of a rhyme scheme. There once was a big brown cat a That liked to eat a lot of mice. b He got all round and fat a Because they tasted so nice. b

5. This verse shows a very simple rhyme scheme. The first rhyme sound we encounter, at the end of the first line, is cat. Because it is the first rhyme sound, it is labeled as a. Every time that rhyme sound is repeated, any time something rhymes with cat, it is also called a. Line three ends with fat, which rhymes with cat, so it is also an a. The second rhyme sound comes at the end of the second line, mice. As the second rhyme sound it is called b, and so are any other following lines that rhyme with it, such as nice in line four.

6. A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhyming lines in a poem. It is usually referred to by using letters to indicate which lines rhyme. For example abab indicates a four-line stanza in which the first and third lines rhyme, as do the second and fourth. Here is an example of this rhyme scheme from To Anthea, Who May Command Him Any Thing by Robert Herrick: Bid me to weep, and I will weep, While I have eyes to see; And having none, yet I will keep A heart to weep for thee.

7. Rhyme is determined by sound, not spelling, so don’t get fooled. Which of these two pair of words rhyme? puff / enough through / though

8. Write the Rhyme Scheme for the poem. Roses are red Violets are blue Sugar is sweet And so are you.

9. Favorite Nursery Rhyme. Write the Rhyme Scheme for your Favorite Nursery Rhyme. Hickory, dickory dock, ? the mouse went up the clock. ? The clock struck one, ? the mouse ran down, ? hickory, dickory, dock. ?

10. Your Favorite Song Take a chorus, stanza, or part of your favorite song, type it out, and label the rhyme scheme. Save it under Groups: Beth Phillips: Rhyme Scheme: Your Class Period

11. Define Stanza

12. Define Rhythm