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recurring chorus line

Structure
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 repeated line or phrase that functions as a refrain throughout a poem

Detailed Definition
A recurring chorus line is a repeated phrase or stanza that returns at intervals throughout a poem, functioning like a musical refrain to anchor theme, mood, or rhythm; common in ballads, blues poetry, and liturgical verse, it creates structural unity and emotional reinforcement through insistent echo.
Example
Example in poetry:
The repeated line “The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind” adapted into a poem; A chorus like “We shall overcome” woven through stanzas; A recurring line in a ballad: “And the river runs cold”; A modern poem with the refrain “Still, I rise” echoing Maya Angelou.
Additional Notes
A recurring chorus line repeats at intervals for emphasis or ritual effect; it’s common in ballads and songs—vary it slightly to show progression.
Also Known As
Refrain line Choral return Cyclic utterance Recurrent phrase choral repetend recurring ballad line
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