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Split composition

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 poem divided into distinct, often contrasting sections or voices

Detailed Definition
Split composition describes a poem divided into contrasting sections—by voice, form, language, or perspective—that interact dialectically; it embodies multiplicity, conflict, or hybridity, refusing singular narrative or unified subjectivity in favor of dialogic or polyphonic structure.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Claudia Rankine’s “Citizen,” split composition alternates lyric, image, and prose to depict racial experience; In Anne Carson’s “Nox,” split composition assembles letters, photos, and dictionary entries to mourn a brother; In Theresa Hak Kyung Cha’s “Dictee,” split composition blends autobiography, history, and multilingual fragments; In Susan Howe’s “My Emily Dickinson,” split composition uses archival material and poetic response
Additional Notes
Split composition divides the poem into distinct, often contrasting sections (e.g., prose/poetry, multiple fonts); it visualizes internal conflict or polyvocality on the page.
Also Known As
Divided poem Bifurcated lyric Dual-voiced stanza Split structure
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