Literary term
Metre
The regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of verse.
What it means
Metre is the organised pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that gives a line of poetry its regular beat. Different metres create different effects: a brisk pattern can feel light or urgent, while a slow, heavy one can feel solemn. Metre is measured in units called feet.
The number and type of feet in a line describe its metre, such as iambic pentameter. A poem may keep a strict metre throughout or vary it. The places where the pattern changes are often the most meaningful to examine.
Why it matters in the exam
In Literature, understanding metre lets you discuss how a poem sounds and moves. It also helps you explain why a writer chose a particular beat for a particular subject. The strongest answers connect the metre, and any breaks in it, to mood and meaning.
Recognising metre also helps you avoid vague comments about rhythm. It gives you precise language for a poem's musical structure.
Example
A poem about marching soldiers might use a strong, steady beat. The rhythm itself then echoes the tramp of feet moving forward in time.
How to use it
Listen for the pattern of stresses. If you cannot name it exactly, describe it in general terms, such as a steady, marching beat. Focus on the effect of the rhythm and on any lines that break the pattern.
Connect these to meaning, since examiners reward analysis of effect far more than the mere naming of a metre.
Knowing the term is the first step. In a paid one-hour trial, a teacher helps your child use "Metre" accurately in an answer.