how-to-identify-rhyme-schemes 2

Here is a list of common rhyme schemes used in poetry.

1. AABB
The first two lines rhyme with each other, and the next two lines rhyme with each other.

Example:

The sun is shining in the sky (A)

The birds are flying way up high (A)
The flowers bloom in red and blue (B)
I pick a bunch to give to you (B)

2. ABAB
The first and third lines rhyme, and the second and fourth lines rhyme.

Example:
The sky is dark (A)
The stars are bright (B)
A sudden spark (A)
Lights up the night (B)

3. ABBA
The first and fourth lines rhyme, and the second and third lines rhyme.

Example:
The light of the moon (A)
Shines on the sea (B)
As quiet as can be (B)
The night ends too soon (A)

4. AAAA
All lines rhyme with each other.

Example:
The sky is clear (A)
The birds appear (A)
The sun is near (A)
And all is dear (A)

5. ABBA
The first and fourth lines rhyme, and the second and third lines rhyme.

Example:
The sun sets low (A)
The stars start to appear (B)
I hold you near (B)
As the winds begin to blow (A)

6. AABC

In an AABC rhyme scheme, the first two lines rhyme with each other, but the third and fourth lines do not rhyme with each other or with the first two.

Example:
The sky is wide and full of light (A)
The clouds go drifting out of sight (A)
A bird flies past without a sound (B)
I watch it fade into the blue (C)

7. ABAC

In an ABAC rhyme scheme, the first and third lines rhyme with each other, while the second and fourth lines have different rhyming sounds that do not match any other line.

Example:

The river flows with gentle grace (A)
The leaves all flutter through the air (B)
It shines like silver on its face (A)
While quiet hums fill evening’s peace (C)

8. ABCABC

In the ABCABC rhyme scheme, the first and fourth lines rhyme with each other, the second and fifth lines rhyme, and the third and sixth lines rhyme. This creates a pattern of three different rhymes repeating in two groups of three lines.

Example:
The morning sun begins to glow (A)
A gentle breeze flows through the trees (B)
The river sings its quiet song (C)
Its golden light begins to show (A)
The leaves respond with rustling pleas (B)
And nature hums all day long (C)

9. ABBACC

In the ABBACC rhyme scheme, the first line rhymes with the fourth line (A), the second and third lines rhyme with each other (B), and the fifth and sixth lines rhyme with each other (C).

Example:
The sky was painted bright and blue (A)
The flowers swayed beneath the rain (B)
Their petals danced without a pain (B)
While sunlight pierced the clouds in view (A)
A rainbow formed with colors wide (C)
And filled the earth with joy and pride (C)

10. ABCDBD

In the ABCDBD rhyme scheme, each letter represents a rhyme sound.
Line 1 (A) rhymes with no other line,
Line 2 (B) rhymes with line 5 (B),
Line 3 (C) rhymes with no other line,
Line 4 (D) rhymes with line 6 (D).

Example:
The stars above begin to shine (A)
The ocean waves crash on the shore (B)
A quiet night, so calm, divine (C)
The moonlight casts a silver glow (D)
The tides repeat their ancient roar (B)
While shadows dance and ebb and flow (D)

Rhyme schemes create musicality and rhythm in poetry, and the choice of rhyme scheme helps shape the tone and flow of the poem.