Many people who first begin writing poetry believe there is only one way to rhyme. They tend to repeat “perfect rhyme” in every poem they write. Such poems are greatly limited by this practice. They also become terribly boring because they lack flexibility. This column is designed to help you become a master of rhyme, so you can rhyme creatively and effectively. Your rhymes will become less predictable and more cunning.
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The measure of good rhyme is experienced in the ears and mouth – not just following the rules of rhyme. |
The following chart shows a variety of rhyming techniques. The left column tells the name of the technique. The centre column gives examples that rhyme with the word “stop.” Read the examples aloud so you can hear and feel the rhyming sounds. Fill in the third column with your own examples. Read your examples out loud to experience the similarity of sounds.
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Rhyming Technique |
Rhyme with “Stop” |
Your Examples |
Perfect rhyme (vowel and consonant are a perfect match) |
Hop, pop, cop |
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Alliteration of final consonant /p/ |
Cap, lip, rope |
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Near alliteration of final consonant (/b/ with /p/ sound) |
Cab, tub, tab |
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Alliteration of first consonants /st/ |
Steal, steer, stay |
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Assonance of vowel (ah) |
Blonde, wander, pond |
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Match all consonants /s/, /t/, /p/ |
Stub, stamp, steep |
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In the next exercise, determine for yourself how well the words rhyme. Write down the rhyming technique that describes how creatively the two words match.
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Sample Words |
How do the words rhyme? |
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1. Stop, Postal |
1. The /s/, /t/ and /p/ sounds match, but in reverse order |
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2. Stop, Tropical |
2. |
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3. Stop, Pistol |
3. |
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4. Stop, Erotic |
4. |
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5. Stop, Estate |
5. |
From the above exercises, you can see there is great flexibility in rhyming techniques. Try the following exercise with the two-syllable word “justice” and see if your rhyming skill is becoming more flexible and spontaneous. Notice that many of the examples are not perfect rhyme. Instead, the examples show “near” rhyme, which greatly increases word choice.
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Rhyming Technique |
Rhyme with “Justice” |
Your Examples |
Perfect rhyme (of first syllable) |
Trust, must |
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Perfect rhyme (of second syllable) |
Kiss, miss |
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Alliteration of consonant /j/ |
Jail, badge, judge |
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Alliteration of consonants /st/ |
Fast, steam |
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Alliteration of consonant /s/ |
Peace, safe |
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Assonance of vowel (second syllable /i/) |
Insist, assist |
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Match all consonant sounds /j/, /s/, /t/ |
Gist, juiced |
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Feminine Rhyme (both syllables rhyme) |
Trust is, Crushed Ice |
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Philosophy of Rhyme
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Rhyming can be either a barrier or a springboard to expression. Using only perfect rhymes is a handcuff on creativity. |
For those who use only perfect rhyme, poems are very limited. A major problem with the “perfect rhyme” philosophy is that words are often selected only to meet the strict “rules of rhyme” in which the writer believes. Many beginning poets try so hard to use perfect rhyme that they forget to develop images and theme in the poem.
Most importantly, words need to be selected for both sound and meaning. In the exercise for the word justice, did you notice that many of the words are related to a theme of justice (judge, jail, trust, peace, assist)? With these words available, a poem concerning justice can be developed. Rhyme is not merely a plaything of poets, but a signpost towards meaning. It is used to draw attention to theme.