What is Rhyme in a Poem
Rhyme is the connection of sound between words or endings of words. When two words share similar endings, they are called rhyming words. Rhyme is often used in poetry to make a poem more pleasant and enjoyable.
Although many people assume that rhyme comes at the end of a line, this is not true; there are two types of rhyme schemes in poetry: internal rhyme and end rhyme.
End Rhyme
Rhyming words are used at the end of lines. This is also known as external rhymes.
“Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are”
Internal Rhyme
Rhyming words are used within a single line or between phrases across multiple lines.
“Who so beset him round with dismal stories
Do but themselves confound—his strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might; though he with giants fight,
He will make good his right to be a pilgrim.”
Importance of Rhyme in a Poem
It is true that rhyme adds beauty to a poem and makes a poem more pleasant and enjoyable. It is important to the structure of the poem. But remember that the content is more important in a poem than rhyme. So you should always give priority to content. A poem doesn’t have to rhyme to make its point; a poem can also be written in free verse. Choosing the rights words that convey the appropriate meaning is more important than adding rhyming words to a poem. Therefore, rhyme scheme can be decided after you have determined the content.
How to Rhyme a Poem
Step 1: Write Freely
Select an idea for your poem. Write your ideas freely. Don’t think about a rhyme scheme. At this stage, your poem will be in free verse.
Step 2: Make a List of Rhyming Words
Make a list of rhyming words. Make sure the words are appropriate to the content of your poem.
Step 3: Select the Most Important Lines
After you have written the poem in free verse, select the most striking and important lines in your poem – the lines that you don’t want to change.
Step 4: Select a Rhyme Scheme
Look at some rhyme schemes and select an appropriate structure. You can use the lines you selected as the guide to your rhyme scheme. You can now use the list of rhyming words you made earlier. Check whether some words can be replaced by synonyms that match the rhyme.
Step 4: Read Aloud
Now read your poem aloud. You can revise the rhyme if you find any faults.
