An Introduction

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is an educational tool designed to teach students about iambic pentameter, a common meter in English poetry. The term “meter” refers to the rhythmic structure of a line in poetry, while “foot” signifies a set of syllables which are stressed or not stressed in a particular way. Iambic pentameter consists of five iambs—each iamb being a foot of two syllables where the first syllable is unstressed and the second is stressed, represented by a symbol above or below the words in the instructional text.

The worksheet explains the concept clearly and provides a visual and practical example of one line of iambic pentameter. It also includes a practice exercise where students are prompted to identify lines written in iambic pentameter from a given set of examples. This hands-on approach is designed to enhance the understanding of poetic structure and encourage students to recognize and utilize this meter in their reading and writing of poetry. By engaging with the exercise, students develop a closer appreciation of the rhythm and sound patterns that are fundamental to the art of poetry.