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Two rhythms contrasted: Editor's Notes #378 November 16, 2022 |
| Hello, —Sadiqa de Meijer In this issue: 1. Two rhythms contrasted 2. Tickled my funny bone 3. Interesting Web site 4. Writing prompt 1.Two rhythms contrasted In alfabet/alphabet, de Meijer, who speaks multiple languages, contrasts the effects of iambs and trochees. In iambs, the first syllable is unstressed and the second syllable is stressed. Examples of iambs are delay, attack, exist, and see eye to eye. In trochees, the first syllable is stressed and the second syllable is unstressed. Examples of trochees are poet, river, apple, and alligator. Iambs are the basic building blocks of English, and they mimic the heartbeat: ta-DA. When writers use iambs, their writing sounds familiar, like actual dialogue. Speech writers use iambs a great deal, especially when wanting to convey reverence, or elegance. Shakespeare’s sonnets are written in iambs. Trochees tend to stand out because they invert what is familiar; DA-dum. A trochee is often referred to as a "falling rhythm" and heightens a sense of movement or momentum. When you read a whole piece written in trochee, the rhythm propels you forward. Trochees are also used for grim subjects. Poe’s poem "The Raven" and the witches’ "Double double, toil and trouble" chant in "Macbeth" are examples of trochees. Dr. Seuss does something quite clever in Green Eggs and Ham. Two characters speak. One speaks in iambs and the other in trochees. In the following lines, I’ve used capitals to indicate stressed syllables so you can see as well as hear the difference between the rhythms of the two characters. that SAM-i-AM, that SAM-i-AM. i DO not LIKE that SAM-i-AM. DO you LIKE green EGGS and HAM? There are many ways to choose the words we use in our writing. Definitions matter, origins matter, the vocabularies of our readers matter, rhyme often matters, and rhythm matters. It is not necessary to know the terms iamb and trochee, but it can be helpful to know some of the subtle effects of their uses. When a word doesn’t sound quite right, or when you are searching for the best way to say something, check the rhythms of the words you are considering. Try different stress patterns. That might make all the difference. =========== 2.Tickled my funny bone I just created a new rhythm. I really wanted to tell everyone, but I didn't want to make a song and dance of it. =========== 3. Interesting Web site If, instead of giving you a headache, the article above got your curiosity piqued, you may enjoy a much longer discussion with examples. https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-differences-between-iambic-and-trochaic- meters?share=1 =========== 4. Writing prompt Write a sentence of strict iambs. Then write another sentence of strict trochee. Feel free to use any of the examples mentioned in the article above or from the link in Interesting Web site as models. What new awareness do you have after this exercise? =========== Join Writer's Helper Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WritersHelperEditor Follow me on Twitter @AudreytheEditor Link on LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/audreyowen (Email me first so I know how you know me.) =========== If you know a writer who would appreciate receiving Editor's Notes, forward this issue. If someone has passed this on to you, you can get your own free subscription by signing up at https://www.writershelper.com/newsletter.html |
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