In poetry, a rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem. It is usually denoted by assigning a different letter of the alphabet to each new rhyme. For example, the rhyme scheme ABAB indicates that the first and third lines rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other. There are various rhyme schemes such as AABB, AAAA, and even more complex patterns like ABBAABBA for sonnets. Rhyme schemes help create structure and rhythm in a poem, and they are an essential aspect of poetic form
. Rhyme schemes can change line by line, stanza by stanza, or throughout the entire poem. They are a fundamental part of the poetic structure, helping to create a sense of musicality and pattern in the language. Different rhyme schemes can evoke different moods and tones, and poets often choose a particular rhyme scheme to complement the subject matter and overall feel of their poem
. Here are some common examples of rhyme schemes:
- AABB (also known as couplet)
- ABAB (also known as alternate rhyme)
- AAAA (also known as monorhyme)
- ABBA (also known as enclosed rhyme)
- ABCB (also known as cross rhyme or alternate rhyme)
While rhyme schemes are a traditional and important part of poetry, it's also worth noting that not all poems have a rhyme scheme. Free verse, for example, is a form of poetry that does not adhere to a regular rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, it focuses on the natural rhythms of language and the creative expression of the poet
