The Rhythm of Prose

Meter is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry or prose.

Iambic pentameter is a poetic meter consisting of five iambs, or pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables.

Rhyme is the regular occurrence of a sound, syllable, or word at the end of a line of poetry or prose.

ABAB is a poetic rhyme scheme in which the first and third lines of a stanza rhyme, and the second and fourth lines rhyme.

Alliteration is the use of words with similar sounds in close proximity.

The wind whipped through the trees is an example of alliteration because the words 'wind' and 'whipped' have similar sounds.

Assonance is the use of words with similar vowel sounds in close proximity.

The sun shone brightly is an example of assonance because the words 'sun' and 'shone' have similar vowel sounds.

Consonance is the use of words with similar consonant sounds in close proximity.

The cat chased the mouse is an example of consonance because the words 'cat' and 'chased' have similar consonant sounds.

Onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate the sounds they represent.

The rain fell heavily is an example of onomatopoeia because the word 'fell' imitates the sound of rain falling.

Imagery is the use of figurative language to create a vivid image in the reader's mind.

The wind whipped through the trees is an example of imagery because it creates a vivid image of the wind blowing through the trees.

A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as'.

The wind whipped through the trees like a banshee is an example of a simile because it compares the wind to a banshee using the word 'like'.