Stress point is the location within a line of poetry where a syllable receives the greatest emphasis, helping to shape the poem’s rhythmic contour and convey meaning. Identifying stress points is essential for scansion, as they influence pacing and the reader’s perception of the verse. For example, in "Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day," the stress points fall on "Shall," "pare," "thee," "sum," and "day," guiding both sound and emphasis.

Stress point is the emphasized syllable in a metrical foot. Related to metrical foot and stress pattern. Identify by reading aloud—natural speech often reveals where stress falls, guiding accurate scansion.