Literary term
Rhyme scheme
The pattern of rhymes at the ends of lines in a poem, mapped with letters.
What it means
A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhymes at the ends of lines in a poem, usually recorded with letters, so that lines sharing a rhyme are given the same letter, as in ABAB or AABB. The scheme gives a poem a sense of order and can make it feel musical, memorable or neatly resolved. A poem with a tight scheme can feel controlled.
When it breaks or abandons the pattern, the change often carries meaning. Mapping the scheme is a first step towards discussing a poem's form and structure.
Why it matters in the exam
In Literature, identifying a rhyme scheme helps only if you explain its effect. Does the regular pattern feel controlled, playful or restrictive? What happens when it changes?
Examiners reward the link between form and meaning. Noticing where a poet breaks the scheme often points you to the emotional heart of the poem. That is exactly what a strong answer explores.
Example
A poem that rhymes the first line with the third and the second with the fourth follows an ABAB pattern. This gives each stanza a neat, interlocking, song-like feel.
How to use it
Label the line endings with letters to find the pattern. Then ask what the pattern adds: order, playfulness, tension or resolution. Focus especially on any point where the scheme breaks, and explain what that break signals.
Avoid stopping at the label; the marks come from connecting the rhyme pattern to the poem's mood and meaning.
Knowing the term is the first step. In a paid one-hour trial, a teacher helps your child use "Rhyme scheme" accurately in an answer.