Etymology of Internal Rhyme
It is a poetic technique in which words within the same line of verse rhyme with one another. The term “internal” refers to the fact that the rhyming words are contained within a single line, rather than at the end of separate lines. The origins of the term are unclear, but it likely comes from the Latin word “internus,” meaning “inner” or “internal.”
Meanings of Internal Rhyme
| Bullet Heading | Literal Meaning |
| Definition | A description of the term “internal rhyme.” |
| Types | Different variations or forms of internal rhyme. |
| Rhyming within Lines | The practice of words rhyming within a single line of text. |
| Intrapoetic Rhyme | Another term for internal rhyme within poetry. |
| Rhyming Words in a Line | When words within a line of text rhyme with each other. |
| Word Rhyme within Verses | Words within verses or sentences that rhyme internally. |
| In-Line Rhyming | Rhyming that occurs within the same line of a poem. |
| Rhyming Syllables in a Line | Syllables within a line of text that rhyme. |
| Internal Sound Correspondence | The sound correspondence within a single line of text. |
| Rhyming Words within a Phrase | Words within a phrase that rhyme with each other. |
Definition of Internal Rhyme
It is a literary device that involves the use of rhyming words within a single line of poetry or prose. It occurs when two or more words within the same line of text rhyme with each other, rather than at the end of a line. Its use adds a musical quality to the language and create a sense of rhythm and emphasis within the writing.
Types of Internal Rhyme
There are several types of internal rhyme, including:
| Type | Definition | Example |
| Single | Internal rhyme where a single word is split between two or more lines with the rhyming sound within the same word. | “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary.” |
| Cross or Interlaced | Internal rhyme where two words in the same line rhyme with two words in the following line. | “While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping.” |
| Parenthetical | Internal rhyme where rhyming words are placed within a parenthesis within a line. | “It’s a fact (or maybe fiction) that I’m addicted to diction.” |
| Compound | Internal rhyme where two or more words within a line of text rhyme with each other. | “I came to the store for some pears and a pair of shoes to wear.” |
These are just a few examples that can be used in writing to add musicality, rhythm, and emphasis to the language.
Does Internal Rhyme occur in Prose?
- Internal Rhyme in Prose: Yes, internal rhyme can occur in prose as well as poetry. While internal rhyme is often associated with poetry, it can be used effectively in prose writing as well.
- Rhythmic and Musical Language: In prose, internal rhyme is often used to create a sense of rhythm or musicality in the language, or to emphasize certain words or phrases. For example, in the following sentence: “The bitter winter wind whistled through the window and whipped at the curtains,” the words “whistled” and “whipped” create an internal rhyme that adds a musical quality to the sentence.
- Creating Memorable Phrases: Internal rhyme can also be used in prose to create a memorable or catchy phrase, such as in advertising or marketing copy. For example, “The flavor is bold, the texture is gold” uses internal rhyme to create a memorable phrase that sticks in the reader’s mind.
- Versatility Across Genres: Overall, while it is more commonly associated with poetry, it can be a powerful tool for writers of all genres to add musicality, rhythm, and emphasis to their writing.
Literary Examples of Internal Rhyme
| Reference | Full Extract | Explanation |
| Edgar Allan Poe, “The Raven” (Line 1) | “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary.” | This is an example of single , where the word “dreary” rhymes with “weary” within the same line. |
| Edgar Allan Poe, “The Raven” (Line 2) | “But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping, And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door.” | This is an example of cross or interlaced, where “napping” and “tapping” in the first line rhyme with “rapping” and “chamber door” in the second line. |
| Edgar Allan Poe, “The Raven” (Line 3) | “Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.” | This is an example of compound , where “December” and “ember” within the same line both rhyme with “floor” at the end of the next line. |
| John Keats, “Ode to a Nightingale” (Line 3-5) | “From the molten-golden notes, And all in tune, What a liquid ditty floats” | This is an example of single, where the words “notes” and “floats” in the same line rhyme with each other. |
| Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” (Line 1-4) | “This soul hath been Alone on a wide wide sea: So lonely ‘twas, that God himself Scarce seemed there to be.” | This is an example of cross or interlaced, where “been” and “sea” in the first line rhyme with “myself” and “be” in the second and third lines. |
Suggested Readings
- Abrams, M.H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Cengage Learning, 2014.
- Booth, Wayne C. The Rhetoric of Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1983.
- Hollander, John. Rhyme’s Reason: A Guide to English Verse. Yale University Press, 2001.
- Caplan, David. Rhyme’s challenge: hip hop, poetry, and contemporary rhyming culture. Oxford University Press, USA, 2014.
- Preminger, Alex, and T.V.F. Brogan (eds.). The New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics. Princeton University Press, 1993.
- Turco, Lewis. The New Book of Forms: A Handbook of Poetics. University Press of New England, 1986.
- Behn, Robin, and Chase Twichell. The Practice of Poetry: Writing Exercises from Poets Who Teach. Harper Collins Publishers, Inc., 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022, 1992.