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rhythmic enjambment

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

The seamless extension of syntactic and rhythmic flow beyond a line’s expected pause, maintaining momentum and delaying closure for effect.

Detailed Definition
Rhythmic enjambment occurs when a syntactic unit flows across a line break in a way that disrupts or enhances the underlying meter, creating syncopation or surprise; unlike neutral enjambment, this technique deliberately plays against rhythmic expectations to generate momentum, tension, or expressive nuance.
Example
Example in poetry:
A line of verse where the sentence or thought runs over the line end (enjambment) in a way that the rhythmic pattern continues seamlessly into the next line without a noticeable break in the rhythm or meter.; A line break that occurs mid-phrase where the meter is identical on either side of the break, so the rhythm flows unimpeded from one line to the next.; The use of an unstressed syllable at the end of a line followed immediately by an unstressed syllable at the start of the next, maintaining the flow of a recurring metrical foot (e.g., anapest).; An enjambment where the line break is between an adjective and the noun it modifies, but the meter is so steady that the break is hardly a rhythmic interruption.
Additional Notes
Rhythmic enjambment is the technique of running a phrase or sentence over a line break in such a way that the natural rhythm or pause is emphasized at the break, often creating a momentary suspension of meaning or expectation; a sophisticated interplay of rhythm and syntax.
Also Known As
Metric enjambment rhythmic carryover flowing continuation Cadential enjambment
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