
What are some examples of refrain in poetry?
Short Examples of Refrain in Poetry
- It is magical, yes, this life that I live Each day it gives something Something it gives each day. ...
- Once I heard an Angel singing, When the morning was springing Peace Mercy Pity, Is the way world releases, Once I heard an Angel singing.
- Writing Starting, end Lyrical sounds Effervescent vowels go up Writing starting, end.
What effect does refrain have in a poem?
When refrains are repeated in a poem, they build in meaning and add to the momentum of a poem. They can also change in meaning. Refrains can keep the rhythm and rhyme scheme the same but change meaning with the progression of the poem. Refrains can also emphasize a particular point that the author is trying to make.
What is the difference between chorus and refrain in poetry?
The Difference Between a CHORUS and a REFRAIN. A chorus usually has different lyric and music content to the verse and bridge. Whereas a refrain is usually a repeated line or phrase incorporated lyrically and musically within the verse itself. Here's an example of a refrain in Bob Dylan's Blowin' in the Wind. Every verse ends with the same two lines:
What is a refrain in a poem?
What is the definition of refrain in poetry?
- You must refrain from action.
- She could not refrain from weeping at these words.
- You must refrain from all interference.
- He will refrain from planting.
- Please refrain from smoking in the bedrooms.
- She knew her remarks sounded unnatural, but could not refrain from asking some more questions.

What is the meaning of refrain with example?
Britannica Dictionary definition of REFRAIN. [no object] formal. : to stop yourself from doing something that you want to do. I was going to make a joke but I refrained.
What are 5 examples of refrain?
Some of the examples of refrains in the poetries are given below:Annabel Lee – Edgar Allan.Stopping By The Woods on a Snowy Evening – Robert Frost.O Captain! ... One Art – Elizabeth Bishop.Twelfth Night – William Shakespeare.Wind, Water, Stone – Octavio Paz's.Ballade Of Midsummer days and Night – Ernest Henley.More items...
What is refrain in a poem What effect does it create?
A refrain is a phrase, verse, or group of verses repeated at intervals throughout a song or poem, especially at the end of each stanza. In this poem, it gives a chant-like quality to the tone the poet is writing in.
Why do poets use refrain?
Refrain is a poetic device that uses repetition to place emphasis on a set of words or an idea within a poem. Refrains appear at regular intervals throughout a poem to create a unique rhyme scheme and give the poem its particular rhythm.
How do you identify a refrain in a poem?
Share: In poetry, a refrain is a word, line or phrase that is repeated within the lines or stanzas of the poem itself.
Is refrain and chorus the same thing?
The terms chorus and refrain are often used interchangeably, both referring to a recurring part of a song. When a distinction is made, the chorus is the part that contains the hook or the "main idea" of a song's lyrics and music, and there is rarely variation from one repetition of the chorus to the next.
What is refrain short answer?
refrain. noun. Definition of refrain (Entry 2 of 2) 1 : a regularly recurring phrase or verse especially at the end of each stanza or division of a poem or song : chorus also : the musical setting of a refrain. 2 : a comment or statement that is often repeated.
What are the characteristics of a refrain?
In music, a refrain has two parts: the lyrics of the song, and the melody. Sometimes refrains vary their words slightly when repeated; recognizability is given to the refrain by the fact that it is always sung to the same tune, and the rhymes, if present, are preserved despite the variations of the words.
How do you use a refrain?
Refrain sentence exampleYou must refrain from action. ... Please refrain from smoking in the bedrooms. ... She could not refrain from weeping at these words. ... Refrain from smoking in the bedrooms. ... He will refrain from planting. ... You must refrain from all interference.More items...
Is refrain figure of speech?
In such writing, a refrain refers simply to any phrase or sentence is regularly repeated. Because a refrain can refer to virtually any kind of repetition in prose writing, it can overlap with other figures of speech that refer to very specific sorts of repetition, including epistrophe and anaphora.
What is the difference between refrain and repetition in literature?
Refrain is a type of repetition, but it is somewhat different from repetition. Refrain is repetition of usually a line, a phrase, two or three lines, or even words in a poem. Repetition, on the other hand, involves repetition of words, phrases, syllables, or even sounds in a full piece.
What is the difference between anaphora and refrain?
A refrain is a line or group of lines that is repeated several times, usually at regular intervals at the end of a stanza, in a poem or song. Anaphora, however, is the repetition of one word or a group of words at the beginning of several lines.
How do you use refrain in a sentence?
Verb I was going to make a joke but I refrained. Noun A common refrain among teachers these days is that the schools need more funding. I didn't know the verses of the song, so I only sang on the refrain.
Which of the following is the correct example of literary devices of refrain?
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” This is very a famous poem using two refrains; one comes in the first line, as “Do not go gentle into that good night”; while second comes in the third line of each stanza. These refrains make the poem catchy and easy to remember.
How do you write a song refrain?
When writing a refrain, think of it as the last line of a verse.Finishes the lyrical thought of the verse.Brings the chord progression to a close (i.e., finishes the verse's progression).Provides a melodic goal for the verse melody.
What is the example of rhyme?
This is by far the most common type of rhyme used in poetry. An example would be, "Roses are red, violets are blue, / Sugar is sweet, and so are you." Internal rhymes are rhyming words that do not occur at the ends of lines. An example would be "I drove myself to the lake / and dove into the water."
What is an example of a refrain in a poem?
The first repeating phrase, or refrain, in Elizabeth Bishop's "One Art" is: "The art of losing isn't hard to master." This line is repeated by the...
What is a refrain?
A refrain in poetry is a line, phrase, or single word that is repeated periodically within the poem to build up drama or emphasis. It can also help...
Is there a difference between refrain and repetition?
The refrain is a type of repetition. While refrain focuses on repeating phrases or words, repetition is broader than that. Repetition may mean repe...
Why do poets use refrains?
In literature, refrains are repeated sections of text in poetry. A writer will select a section of text that is of extra importance and use it more than once in a poem. For example, the same line might end every stanza, or the writer might circle back around to a phrase multiple times. This is done to remind the reader of its importance and create a musical feeling in the poem. It is reminiscent of song and lyrics and how these compositions use verses and choruses.
What is the refrain of the ferry?
The refrain mimics the “back and forth” movement of the ferry. It returns and disappears over and over. The first two lines of this stanza appear perfectly repeated at the beginning of stanzas two and three.
What is the meaning of the line "men come and go"?
The line solidifies the fact that time passes differently for humankind and for natural features like the river. Using personification in these lines, Tennyson makes the brook feel alive and immortal. Here is another example of the refrain from stanza six:
What is antiphrasis in rhetoric?
Antiphrasis is a rhetorical device that occurs when someone says the opposite of what they mean but their true meaning is obvious.
How many lines are there in the poem The Brook?
The Brook by Alfred Lord Tennyson. ‘The Brook’ by Alfred Lord Tennyson is a thirteen-stanza ballad poem that is separated into sets of four lines, known as quatrains. The poet uses a refrain throughout the text that is central to the meaning.
What is the repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of multiple clauses or sentences?
Epistrophe: the repetition of the same word or a phrase at the end of multiple clauses or sentences.
What is the term for the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of multiple lines?
Chiasmus: a rhetorical device that occurs when the grammatical structure of a previous phrase or clause is reversed or flipped. Anaphora: the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of multiple lines, usually in succession.
Why do we use refrains in poetry?
When used in poetry, a refrain can be used to build up a poem's drama. When refrains are repeated in a poem, they build in meaning and add to the momentum of a poem. They can also change in meaning. Refrains can keep the rhythm and rhyme scheme the same but change meaning with the progression of the poem.
What is the first example of refrain in poetry?
The first example of refrain being used in poetry is the poem "One Art" by Elizabeth Bishop. The poem is copied below. When reading, pay attention to any repeating words or phrases.
What is the difference between "refrain" and "repetition"?
The refrain is a type of repetition. While refrain focuses on repeating phrases or words, repetition is broader than that. Repetition may mean repeating syllables or sounds as well.
What is the structure of a poem?
Many elements make up a poem's structure, including stanzas. A stanza is a group of lines within a poem that makes up a verse. Poems often rhyme, although it is not necessary. Rhyming is when there are corresponding sounds present at the end of two or more lines of text. It helps create emphasis, syntax, and rhythm.
Why do authors use refrains?
Refrains can also emphasize a particular point that the author is trying to make. Every time an individual reads the refrain, it becomes more recognizable. The idea becomes more comfortable to the reader, and they pay closer attention to what is being repeated. This provides the author with a chance to emphasize an idea to the reader.
What is the meter of a poem?
Rhythm is the beat and pace that the poem is read in. The meter of a poem is the rhythm within a specific line, and the syntax is the order of words in the poem to create meaningful images or verbal patterns.
What is a poem?
A poem is an artistic literary work composed of verses that combine rhythm, syntax, and particular language to create an imaginative subject matter. A poem's structure refers to how it is organized. Some poems have no set structure, while others have a specific form.
What is a refrain in a poem?
What is a refrain? Here’s a quick and simple definition: In a poem or song, a refrain is a line or group of lines that regularly repeat, usually at the end of a stanza in a poem or at the end of a verse in a song. In a speech or other prose writing, a refrain can refer to any phrase that repeats a number of times within the text. ...
What does "refrain" mean in prose?
The term "refrain" has come to have a meaning that is a bit different, and less specific, in the context of speeches or prose writing. In such writing, a refrain refers simply to any phrase or sentence is regularly repeated. Because a refrain can refer to virtually any kind of repetition in prose writing, it can overlap with other figures of speech that refer to very specific sorts of repetition, including epistrophe and anaphora.
How many refrains are there in a poem?
A poem may have more than one refrain. Generally speaking, refrains repeat at regular intervals throughout a poem, such as at the end of every stanza. Some poems, however, may repeat the refrain more sporadically.
Why is the poem Twelfth Night called a double refrain?
A lyric poem such as this is described as having a "double refrain," because it has two lines that repeat as refrains in each stanza.
Why did Sojourner Truth use refrain?
Her refrain —which later became the name by which her untitled speech is known—is a rhetorical question, repeated to make the point that women are just as capable as men. Below is an excerpt:
Why are refrains important in poetry?
Refrains first became popular in poetry because of their importance to the lyric poetry forms of the middle ages, which were often recited or sung with musical accompaniment . The repetition of words or phrases between verses was a useful tool for helping writers and performers memorize the words of poems, and refrains also helped the listener to get a sense for the rhythm of the poem, since refrains are generally repeated at regular intervals. The tradition of repeating refrains in lyric poetry has continued into the present day through popular music—most genres of songs with lyrics contain choruses with lyrics that repeat, making those choruses a form of refrain. A chorus, in other words, is just a specialized kind of refrain.
How many lines can a refrain have?
Refrains can be one or more lines, though in some cases they can be as short as a few words or even a single word. Although refrains generally use the same language every time they're repeated in a poem, the language may vary slightly between repetitions. A poem may have more than one refrain.
What Is Refrain?
Poetry and music love repetition. When something is repeated, it makes it easier to remember. Think about the song, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.
What are the elements of a refrain?
Elements of Refrains. A refrain can have different elements to it depending on if it is in poetry or music. Lines: A refrain isn’t just one line , a poem can actually have several lines that repeat in the work. Intervals: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” is a song where the refrain has a regular interval. This is common in poetry and songs.
What is the double refrain in Dylan Thomas' poem?
In Dylan Thomas’s poem, you have a double refrain happening. Not only do you see the title line repeating but also rage, rage against the dying of the light. The repetition of the two lines adds a sense of urgency to the poem when you read it.
What is a chorus in poetry?
They work to add rhythm to the work through repetition. A chorus is a special type of refrain that’s repeated to a specific melody. Now that you know a bit about refrains, check out stanza examples. You might also want to check out a sonnet or two.
What is it called when words repeat in poetry?
Have you ever noticed in poetry that words repeat? That repetition has a name. It’s called a refrain. See how refrains are used in music and poetry through examples.
What song has the refrain "Wake me up when September ends"?
Another famous song example comes from Weezer. In their lyrics, you can see the refrain of wake me up when September ends. Notice it’s a refrain outside of the chorus.
What does poetry love?
Poetry loves refrains. It’s great for giving the words rhyme.
What is a refrain in poetry?
In poetry, a refrain is something that is repeated in a poem, whether it’s a single word, a phrase, a line, or a group of lines. The repetition often occurs at the end of a stanza (a standardized grouping of lines) or strophe (a group of lines unrestricted by consistency). A poem can have several refrains, and the words in the refrain can vary between repetitions (typically the case with a villanelle, for example).
How many times is the refrain repeated in "It wears her out"?
A lamentation on the hollowness and insincerity of a consumeristic world, the refrain changes from “It wears her out” to “It wears him out” to “It wears me out.” Each line is repeated four times, showcasing how these feelings eventually take a toll on everyone.
Why doesn't a pantoum have a refrain?
A pantoum doesn’t have a distinct refrain because all the lines in a pantoum are repeated. As such, the form can be considered a refrain (or several refrains) in and of itself. Consider Another Lullaby for Insomniacs by A.E. Stallings, where each line appears twice in the poem.
How does repetition help poets?
Before poetry was printed, it was performed—often sung. Repeating words or lines at regular intervals helped poets memorize their work, as well as help another performer learn it. This built-in memorization technique is why poetry that predates the printed word has been able to endure.
Where does repetition occur in a poem?
The repetition often occurs at the end of a stanza (a standard ized grouping of lines) or strophe (a group of lines unrestricted by consistency). A poem can have several refrains, and the words in the refrain can vary between repetitions (typically the case with a villanelle, for example). To some sources, however, ...
Is a song a chorus or a refrain?
To some sources, however, a song’s chorus can be considered a type of refrain. The chorus, much like a poetic refrain, is a repeated verse. However, songs can have refrains that exist separately from the chorus. Because song lyrics are accompanied by music, the chorus or refrain often has its own music that is only played during that section of the song.
What does "refrain" mean?
refrain. noun. Definition of refrain (Entry 2 of 2) 1 : a regularly recurring phrase or verse especially at the end of each stanza or division of a poem or song : chorus also : the musical setting of a refrain. 2 : a comment or statement that is often repeated.
What does "refreyn" mean in English?
Middle English refreyn, from Middle French refrain, alteration of Old French refrait melody, response, from past participle of refraindre to break up, moderate, from Vulgar Latin *refrangere, alteration of Latin refringere — more at refract

Refrain Definition
Refrain Examples
- Examples of Refrain in Songs
While refrain is a popular device in poetry, you are probably most familiar with its use in song lyrics. Refrains are an essential part of the form of most songs, and they're often the most memorable and beloved part of a song. It is worth noting that a refrain and a chorus in a song ar… - Refrain in Speeches
In speeches and other prose writing, a refrain refers simply to any phrase or sentence that is regularly repeated. Refrains are popular devices in speeches, because repetition is memorable, musical, and can help to give a common structure and meaning to disparate ideas. These qualiti…
Why Do Writers Use Refrains?
- The refrain is a versatile literary device that takes many forms and has many purposes. Writers, musicians, and orators use refrains in songs, speeches, and poems in order to drive a point home, aid a reader or listener's memory, establish central themes, and create structure. Repeated words or phrases stick more easily in a reader or listener's mind and accentuate the structure an…
Other Helpful Refrain Resources
- The Wikipedia Page on Refrain:A somewhat technical explanation, including various helpful examples of how refrain is used in music.
- The dictionary definition of Refrain:A basic definition that includes a bit on the etymology of refrain.
- A short videothat explains refrain and gives a few examples in under two minutes.
- The Wikipedia Page on Refrain:A somewhat technical explanation, including various helpful examples of how refrain is used in music.
- The dictionary definition of Refrain:A basic definition that includes a bit on the etymology of refrain.
- A short videothat explains refrain and gives a few examples in under two minutes.
- A poston the difference between a refrain and a chorus in a song.