High School

What is a stanza?

a. the number of lines in a poem
b. a group of lines within a poem separated by spacing
c. the rhythm of a line of poetry
d. the rhyme scheme in a poem

Answer :

A stanza is a group of lines within a poem separated by spacing, similar to a paragraph in prose. There are different names for stanzas based on the number of lines they contain, and they serve to convey distinct concepts within a poem. Therefore the correct option is B

It is similar to a paragraph in prose and serves to organize a poem's structure. Stanzas are known by specific names based on the number of lines they contain; for instance, a two-line stanza is called a couplet, a three-line stanza is a tercet, and a four-line stanza is called a quatrain. These groups of lines can function to separate ideas within a poem, similarly to paragraphs in prose, and often each stanza may stand on its own to convey a distinct concept or part of the poem's overall theme.

Poets use stanzas to provide a visual representation of their work and to enhance the rhythm and pacing of the poem. Understanding why a poet has chosen to group lines together in stanzas is important in ascertaining the meaning of the poem as a whole. Some poems have a consistent stanza structure throughout, while others may vary the length and composition of stanzas to achieve different effects.