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ballad measure

Form
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A stanzaic form combining alternating tetrameter and trimeter lines, typical of ballads

Detailed Definition
Ballad measure is a traditional stanzaic form consisting of alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter, usually rhyming ABAB or ABCB; this rhythmic structure, foundational to English folk ballads, creates a songlike cadence ideal for storytelling and oral recitation.
Example
Example in poetry:
Alternating iambic tetrameter and trimeter as in common ballad stanza; “The king has brought him soldiers ten / To guard him night and day”; Hymn meter as ballad measure; Emily Dickinson’s hymn-like ballad stanzas
Additional Notes
ballad measure is the common metre (alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter: 4-3-4-3) used in traditional ballads; also known as common metre or hymn metre.
Also Known As
ballad meter ballad stanza common measure ballad rhythm hymnal meter
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