Poetry Basics: Meter and Stanza Names is a useful double-sided A4 worksheet for pupils to practise identifying common meters and rhythms in poetry. The worksheet includes a handy table for pupils to record common rhythmic patterns (iambic, trochaic, anapestic, dactylic and spondaic) and opportunities to practise identifying poetic meter in examples from Shakespeare, Marlowe, Tennyson and Clement Clarke Moore.

As well as breaking down the concept of poetic meter, this handy worksheet provides space for pupils to record names of different stanza lengths. Finally, the worksheet provides a fun example for pupils to analyse in full: in terms of form, rhyme and overall structure - allowing pupils the chance to consolidate their work from previous lessons.

This worksheet is intended for a KS4 audience in a Secondary School English classroom. However, since identifying poetic meter is one of the most challenging aspects of formal analysis, it could be taught at KS5 for an A-level group too. An answer sheet is provided as a separate document.

Looking for a lesson to compliment the handout? Check out my lesson on Poetic Meter in Miss Johnson’s shop.