English builds rhythm from patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables. A stressed syllable is pronounced with more emphasis, and an unstressed syllable is lighter and quicker. Words in English often have a fixed stress pattern, and sentences layer word stress with additional emphasis for meaning. Recognizing stress is the foundation for understanding meter.

Word/Phrase	Definition
CONtract	The noun has first syllable stress.
conTRACT	The verb has second syllable stress.
PREsent	The noun has first syllable stress.
preSENT	The verb has second syllable stress.
phoTOgraph	The full word has stress on the first syllable.
phoTOgraPHER	The longer word shifts stress to the second syllable.

A foot is a basic unit of rhythm in English meter, made of a fixed pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. Poetry arranges lines by repeating feet to create a regular rhythm. Identifying feet helps analyze how a line moves and feels.

Word/Phrase	Definition
Iamb	A foot with unstressed then stressed.
Trochee	A foot with stressed then unstressed.
Anapest	A foot with two unstressed then stressed.
Dactyl	A foot with stressed then two unstressed.
Spondee	A foot with two stressed.

Meter is the regular pattern of feet in a line of poetry. English meters are named by the type of foot and the number of feet per line. Consistent meter creates predictability, while variations draw attention or change the rhythm.

Word/Phrase	Definition
Iambic pentameter	A line with five iambs.
Trochaic tetrameter	A line with four trochees.
Anapestic trimeter	A line with three anapests.
Dactylic hexameter	A line with six dactyls.

Poetry in English often uses substitution, inversion, or extra syllables to vary the rhythm within a meter. A common variation is an inversion, such as starting a line with a trochee in iambic meter. These variations maintain the overall meter but create expressive effects by shifting the expected pattern.

Rule
A line may substitute one foot for another to create emphasis or variety.
An initial inversion replaces the first iamb with a trochee in iambic meter.
A feminine ending adds an unstressed syllable at the end of a line.
A caesura is a pause within a line that shapes the rhythm without changing the meter count.

In spoken English, rhythm is shaped by stress timing, not just by counting syllables. Stressed syllables tend to occur at regular intervals, and unstressed syllables compress to fit between them. This creates a natural flow in speech and interacts with intonation and phrasing. Understanding this helps connect poetic meter to everyday English.

English rhythm relies on patterns of stress, which form feet and combine into meter. Analyzing poetry involves identifying stress patterns, recognizing common feet, and observing how meter is maintained or varied. The same principles support natural rhythm in English speech.