Home › Glossary › Letter F

frame rhyme

Rhyme
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

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 rhyme scheme in which the first and last lines of a stanza or poem rhyme, enclosing the interior lines

Detailed Definition
Frame rhyme is a stanzaic pattern where the first and last lines rhyme (A...A), “framing” the intervening lines, which may follow their own rhyme scheme (e.g., ABBA or ABCA); this structure creates a sense of cyclical return or thematic closure, often used to emphasize key ideas or to give the stanza a self-contained, arch-like architecture that enhances memorability and balance.
Example
Example in poetry:
frame rhyme: "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, / [...] / And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor / Shall be lifted—nevermore!" (Poe’s "The Raven" uses refrain as frame); Original: "In the beginning, all was calm and bright, / [...] / In the end, all returns to quiet night."; "O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn’s being... / [...] / If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?" (Shelley frames with invocation and question); Nursery example: "Star light, star bright, / [...] / Wish I may, wish I might."
Additional Notes
Frame rhyme (A...A) encloses a stanza’s middle lines, creating cyclical return—students should use it to emphasize key ideas or create ritualistic effects; it’s common in hymns and incantations where the opening and closing lines anchor the stanza’s meaning.
Also Known As
framing rhyme bookended rhyme outer-rhyme scheme A-X-X-A pattern embracing rhyme scheme enclosed rhyme
Skip to main content