​If you’ve been a  subscriber to the Rhyme Doctors’ HOUSE CALLS newsletter for the past few years, you’ve seen my posts about using poetic devices in your projects. (See archives on our website in the House Calls Blog, Poetry Prescriptions files.) I adore poetic devices, those tools we use to create rhythm, strengthen meaning, and establish a mood in our writing. They can help us build a stronger connection to readers, too. 

Over the past three months, I’ve introduced you to a few basic terms related to rhythm and meter in writing in verse as well as three poetic meters. If you missed them, you can follow these links.
the iamb - a two-syllable metrical foot commonly used in English poetry.
the trochee - another two-syllable metrical foot.
the dactyl - our first three-syllable metrical foot, but one that is less commonly used.
This month let’s study anapestic meter, made famous by a widely-known holiday poem. At the end of this post I'll also introduce you to the spondee, a lesser known poetic foot, too.

Over the past two months, I’ve introduced you to a few basic terms related to rhythm and meter as well as two poetic meters. (If you missed it, you can find it following these links.) I first introduced the iamb, a two-syllable metrical foot commonly used in English poetry. Next, I reviewed another two-syllable metrical foot, the trochee. 
 
This month let’s look at a three-syllable metrical foot: dactylic meter.

Last month I shared a few basic terms related to rhythm and meter for writing in verse. (If you missed it, you can find it here.) We also introduced the iamb–a two-syllable metrical foot commonly used in English poetry. This month, we’ll take a closer look at another two-syllable metrical foot, the trochee. 

In our Rhyme Doctor’s HOUSE CALLS newsletter at the end of 2023, I concluded an 18-month series of blog posts illustrating the use of poetic devices in rhyming or lyrical children’s picture books. Thanks for joining me on that journey! At the start of 2024, I’m delighted to begin a new series focused on rhyme terms and rhyme schemes. I hope that you'll continue along with me . . .