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Consistent measure

Meter
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

Steady adherence to a single metrical unit or pattern across a poem

Detailed Definition
Consistent measure describes a poem in which every line adheres strictly to the same metrical pattern (e.g., all iambic pentameter), ensuring rhythmic uniformity that supports thematic coherence and formal discipline throughout the work.
Example
Example in poetry:
All lines in a poem strictly follow iambic pentameter without variation, as in much of Milton’s Paradise Lost; A villanelle where every line maintains identical syllable count and stress pattern; A haiku sequence where each poem adheres precisely to the 5-7-5 syllable structure; A sestina where every stanza uses the same end-words in rotating order with consistent line length.
Additional Notes
Consistent measure means maintaining the same metrical pattern throughout a poem; essential for formal cohesion in traditional verse; deviations can signal thematic shifts or emotional intensity.
Also Known As
Steady measure Uniform measure Regular metrical span Isometric Isometric verse
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