GlossariesGCSE GlossariesGCSE English Language GlossaryRhythm

Rhythm - GCSE English Language Definition

Reviewed by: Nick Redgrove

Last updated

Rhythm is a sound device. It refers to the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry or prose. This pattern can create a beat or flow that affects how the text sounds when read aloud.

Writers use rhythm to control the pace, mood, and musical quality of their writing. A steady rhythm can make a poem feel calm or formal, while a broken or irregular rhythm can create tension, excitement, or confusion.

Example of rhythm in a GCSE text

In 'London' by William Blake, the regular rhythm of the poem (mainly iambic tetrameter) reflects the controlled, repetitive nature of city life. This steady beat contrasts with the emotional content, highlighting the suffering and restriction faced by people in the city.

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Nick Redgrove

Reviewer: Nick Redgrove

Expertise: English Content Creator

Nick is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. He started his career in journalism and publishing, working as an editor on a political magazine and a number of books, before training as an English teacher. After nearly 10 years working in London schools, where he held leadership positions in English departments and within a Sixth Form, he moved on to become an examiner and education consultant. With more than a decade of experience as a tutor, Nick specialises in English, but has also taught Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies.

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