English Literature / Unit 1 ENL 0008 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Caesura
Captions available
The idea
A caesura is a pause or break inside a line, where one phrase ends and another begins, often marked by punctuation. Its placement varies the rhythm. In Old English verse, a caesura splits every line into two half-lines, as unit three shows.
In practice
A break in the middle of a line.
Where people slip
Punctuation usually, but not always, marks it.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for English Literature