noun
- the continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break in poetry, without a pause at the end of the line
Usage: literary term; common in poetry analysis and creative writing
Examples
- The poet used enjambment to create a flowing rhythm that carried the reader's eye to the next line.
- In the verse 'I wandered lonely as a cloud / That floats on high o'er vales and hills,' enjambment links the two lines together.
- Enjambment can emphasize certain words by placing them at the beginning of the following line.
- Modern poets often employ enjambment to break traditional metrical patterns.
- The enjambment in this stanza forces readers to pause mid-thought, mirroring the speaker's hesitation.
- Without enjambment, each line would end with a complete thought, making the poem feel more rigid.