Rhyme Rules

Definitions

 Words rhyme when they sound the same at the end.

 Perfect rhymes are words who sound exactly the same at the end.

o vowels & consonants in the last syllable sound exactly the same

o example: time & lime

 Imperfect rhymes are words that sound similar, but not the same.

o vowels & consonants in the last syllable sound similar, but not the same

o example: boned & bound

 Words can rhyme even if they are not spelled the same.

o example: late & eight

Rhyme Types

 Single Rhymes

o Words that use only the last syllable to rhyme.

o example: mime & dime

 Double Rhymes

o Words that use the last 2 syllables to rhyme.

o example: lat-er & skat-er

 Triple Rhymes

o Words that use the last 3 syllables to rhyme.

o example: cav-i-ty & grav-i-ty

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Dictionary >> Rules Examples

Rhyme Examples
Each line below rhymes:

 school
 class
 book
 child
 pimple
 show

 pool
 grass
 cook
 mild
 dimple
 toe

 skate
 deer
 geese
 fun
 teacher
 friendship

 late
 cheer
 lease
 run
 preacher
 catnip
 Shakespearean Sonnet
Rules & Rhyme Scheme
 Shakespearean sonnets are broken into 4 sections, called quatrains.

 They maintain a strict rhyme scheme:

o ABAB // CDCD // EFEF // GG

 The sonnet must have 14 lines.

 Each line has 10 syllables.

 Each line usually rhymes using the following syllable pattern:

o soft-LOUD-soft-LOUD-soft-LOUD-soft-LOUD-soft-LOUD

 Sonnets often describe a problem and solution, or question and answer.

 The transition from problem to solution (or question to answer) is called the volta (turn).

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Poetry >> Sonnet Rules Rhyme Schemes

Rhyme Schemes
 The quatrains are usually setup as such:

o 1st Quatrain:

 Purpose: establishes the subject

 # of lines: 4

 Rhyme Pattern: ABAB

o 2nd Quatrain:
  Purpose: introduces theme (starts painting the picture)

 # of lines: 4

 Rhyme Pattern: CDCD

o 3rd Quatrain:

 Purpose: finalizes theme

 # of lines: 4

 Rhyme Pattern: EFEF

o 4th Quatrain:

 Purpose: final thoughts

 # of lines: 4

 Rhyme Pattern: GG

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