Christopher Aruffo, MFA, MBA, MSc, PhD

A Rational Guide to Verse

or, Scansion Made Simple

Problem Three:  Syllables out of order

Sometimes, a line has the correct quantity of syllables, but they won't all group into equal feet.  The syllables appear to be in the wrong order, but their lengths can't change without sounding unnatural.  To resolve this problem, look for these rhythmic variations:  short stresses and double feet.

Problem 3B:  Short and long syllables are reversed

You may find long and short syllables in reverse order.  For example, this next line has the correct quantity of long and short syllables, but the stresses of with and foul are in the wrong order to make equal feet.

The resolution here is to change nothing.  This is a rhythmic variation called a double foot.

A double foot is equal to two feet in total length.  Instead of alternating two long plus two short (s + L + s + L), a double foot places the longs and shorts together (s + s + L + L).  A double foot is the same total length as two feet; therefore, its rhythm maintains the overall flow.

A double foot can be marked a forward slash, rather than a vertical bar, to indicate that the syllables are rhythmically unified.

Alternatively, because two short syllables can be replaced by one long, a double foot can also be three long (L + L + L).  A double foot of three longs can be marked with a letter T (for "triple") above each long syllable.  Although a double foot contains three long syllables, it occupies two feet in total length.

Double feet are often more natural to pronounce.  However, they aren't always easy to spot.  If your analysis shows you equal feet, but feels awkward to say it out loud, you might be overlooking a double foot.

Resolution 3B:  Find double feet.

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