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English Literature / Unit 1   ENL 0007 short lesson, about 20 seconds

The Line, Enjambment and the End-Stopped Line

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The idea

A line that ends where its phrase ends is end-stopped; a line whose sentence runs on into the next is enjambed. Milton ends a line on "the fruit" and begins the next with "Of that forbidden tree," so the sentence pulls the reader across the break.

In practice

Stop at the line end, or run past it.

Where people slip

Enjambment delays meaning on purpose.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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