= Partner SiteSlant Rhyme Examples and Activities
What is a slant rhyme? Read on for examples and activities!
Slant rhyme is when words sound similar, but are not exactly the same. Think of this type of rhyme as “bending” the rules in order to make a nearly-perfect rhyme.
Slant rhymes can be a great way to challenge a learner or writer, as finding and creating these types of rhymes often involves critical and clever thinking.
This type of sound device can also be achieved through the pronunciation of a certain word. Sometimes singers do this to make their lyrics rhyme better.
Slant Rhyme Examples and Activities
To see how slant rhymes look and sound in a poem, it’s important to review model poems. We’ve picked out a few that are sure to help you understand slant rhymes. Let’s take a look!
In Emily Dickinson’s “Hope is a Thing with Feathers,” she uses slant rhymes in the second and fourth verses; she rhymes “soul” and “all.” Even though the words are not “true” or exact rhymes, they have a similar sound.
“Hope is a thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.”
Don’t forget that singer-songwriters use this type of rhyme a lot to make their songs rhyme. In Taylor Swift’s song “Style,” she rhymes “headlights” and “paradise” because they have a similar sound. She also begins her verse with the word “midnight,” echoing that sound once again.
“Midnight
You come and pick me up, no headlights
Long drive
Could end in burning flames or paradise”
In the nursery rhyme, “This Little Piggy,” the verse also contains a slant rhyme.The words “home” and “none” do not produce an exact rhyme, but they create a similar sound. For instance, it reads:
“This little piggy stayed (at) home
This little piggy had none.”
Practicing with and noticing different types of rhymes is what make the creation and analysis of poetry especially fun. As you write and read poetry, be sure to engage with the text more than once in order to note the features the poet has included.
After all, poetry is like a work of art that contains layers of style!
Printable Slant Rhyme Worksheets
Analyzing Slant Rhymes Sonnet Activity
Read through the given poem and then circle the slant rhyme in the verses, identifying where similar but not identical sounds create subtle rhyming effects throughout.
Analyzing Slant Rhymes Poetry Worksheet
Students will read through the poem, "The Secret Heart," and circle the slant rhymes. Then, they will answer the questions below.
Practicing Slant Rhymes Worksheet
Students will practice creating slant rhymes by changing the syllables and sound in the given words from the chart. This exercise will challenge your ability to manipulate words.
Slant Rhyme Anchor Chart
Slant rhyme occurs when words sound similar but are not exactly the same, creating subtle sound echoes rather than perfect rhyme in poetic lines.
Slant Rhymes Matching Activity
Match the words together based on whether they have similar end syllable sounds but are not identical, practicing recognition of slant rhyme pairs throughout the activity.
