Analyzing and Interpreting Literature / Unit 2 AIL 0115 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Elision: Syllables Cut for Meter
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The idea
Sonnet 44 prints "remov'd" rather than removed, because the line needs one syllable there and not two. The apostrophe marks a dropped vowel. Reading the shortened form as the full word restores the sense without disturbing the beat.
In practice
The apostrophe marks a cut syllable.
Where people slip
Read for sense, count for meter.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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