WrIter’s toolbox

REUSAB

LE

Skill: Understanding meter

Name: ____________________________________ Class: ___________________ Date: _____________

Iambic Pentameter
You probably already know that rhythm—or meter—is an important element of poetry. one of the most common rhythms used in poetry throughout the centuries is called iambic pentameter. Understanding this poetic rhythm will help you read and write poetry.

Available as a PDF at scholastic.com /scope
Uses: Copy maChine, opaqUe projeCtor, or transparenCy master for overhead projeCtor. sCholastiC inC. grants sUbsCribers of sCholastiC sCope permission to reprodUCe this page for Use in their Classrooms. Copyright © 2009 by sCholastiC inC. all rights reserved.

I. What is iambic pentameter?
Let’s look at these two terms separately. An iamb is a combination of stressed and unstressed syllables. Say the words between, mature, and instead. These are iambs. In poetry, repeated rhythmic units are called “feet.” An iamb is a kind of foot. Pentameter means that the foot is repeated five times. It has the Greek root penta-, which means five. (Think of a pentagon; it has five sides.) Now put the two terms together: iambic pentameter is a line of poetry with five iambs in it. It has this rhythm: da DUM / da DUM / da DUM / da DUM / da DUM Try clapping it out!

YOUR TURN
Clap out the rhythms of the sonnet. Then draw slashes in each line to show how they break into iambs. Finally, underline all the stressed syllables. We did the first line for you: Shall I / compare / thee to / a sum / mer’s day?

III. Craft Your Own Poem!
Writing in iambic pentameter requires thought and discipline to find just the right words. Create your own poem using iambic pentameter. If you don’t get the right rhythm or number of syllables at first, think about how you can rephrase your thoughts or use different words to express yourself. Use the lines below to write your poem. Continue on the back if you wish.

II. Who uses