INTRODUCTION TO SYLLABLE STRESS, LITERARY FOOT,

AND METER

When we mark the pronunciation of words, depending on the dictionary used, stressed syllables are indicated by a diagonal line, (/), or a macron(-) over the stressed syllables. A small curving loop (u) or a small (x) goes over the unstressed syllables. A unstressed syllable may also be left blank or unmarked. Another pronunciation mark is a schwa ( ). This symbol represents a vowel sound heard in unstressed syllables.

Our example sentences would be marked to show the stressed and unstressed as follows:

/ u u / u / u / u / u / uAN tho ny will re BEL a GAINST his FATH er’s WISH es.

/ u u u / u u / u u / u / u GEN er al d AV is deCIDed to CRUSH the REB el / uSOLD iers.

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Notice that the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in bold does not necessarily correspond to the number of words used. One must always listen for that heartbeat pattern 'du-DUH, du-DUH.' The unstressed syllable may start in one word and the stressed syllable may follow in a completely different word.