What is Rhyme Scheme? Definition and Examples for AP Literature

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 📝 Rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem or song.
• 🧮 It is typically represented using letters of the alphabet to denote corresponding rhymes (e.g., AABB, ABAB).
• 🔍 Common rhyme schemes include:
• Couplet (AA)
• Alternate rhyme (ABAB)
• Ballade (ABABB)
• Enclosed rhyme (ABBA)
• Monorhyme (AAAA)
• ✍️ To identify the rhyme scheme, read the poem and assign a letter to each new end rhyme.
• 💡 Consider the effect of the rhyme scheme on the poem's meaning and tone.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following rhyme schemes is represented by the pattern AABB?

   1. Couplet
   2. Alternate rhyme
   3. Enclosed rhyme
   4. Ballade

2. What is the rhyme scheme of a poem where the first and third lines rhyme, and the second and fourth lines rhyme?

   1. AABB
   2. ABAB
   3. ABBA
   4. AAAA

3. Which rhyme scheme is characterized by all lines rhyming with each other?

   1. ABAB
   2. AABB
   3. AAAA
   4. ABBA

4. In an enclosed rhyme scheme, which lines rhyme with each other?

   1. First and second, third and fourth
   2. First and third, second and fourth
   3. First and fourth, second and third
   4. All lines rhyme

5. Which of the following is NOT a common rhyme scheme?

   1. ABAB
   2. AAB
   3. ABBA
   4. AAAA

6. What is the impact of rhyme scheme on a poem?

   1. It only affects the visual appearance of the poem.
   2. It can influence the poem's rhythm and musicality.
   3. It has no impact on the poem's meaning.
   4. It only matters in modern poetry.

7. Identify the rhyme scheme in the following stanza:
   The cat sat on the mat. (A)
   Beside a furry rat. (A)
   Enjoying where she's at. (A)
   She looked a little fat. (A)

   1. ABAB
   2. AABB
   3. AAAA
   4. ABBA