Trochaic meter is defined as which pattern?

Trochaic meter is defined as which pattern?

• A. Stressed, unstressed
• B. Unstressed, stressed
• C. Stressed, stressed
• D. Unstressed, unstressed

Answer: (A)

In poetry, meter is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in each foot. Trochaic meter is the pattern where the first syllable is stressed and the second is unstressed. That creates a strong-weak rhythm, like in GAR-den or TI-ger, giving the line a brisk, marching feel. This contrasts with iambic meter, which is unstressed followed by stressed (a light-beat, then a strong beat). The other patterns don’t match the characteristic strong-weak beat of trochaic feet, so the defining pattern is stressed, unstressed.

In poetry, meter is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in each foot. Trochaic meter is the pattern where the first syllable is stressed and the second is unstressed. That creates a strong-weak rhythm, like in GAR-den or TI-ger, giving the line a brisk, marching feel. This contrasts with iambic meter, which is unstressed followed by stressed (a light-beat, then a strong beat). The other patterns don’t match the characteristic strong-weak beat of trochaic feet, so the defining pattern is stressed, unstressed.