What is a Stanza?

A Stanza is a set amount of lines grouped by rhythmical pattern and meter. It usually has four or more lines and is can be referred to as a verse.

List of stanza names according to number of lines:

2 lines = Couplet
3 lines = Tercet
4 lines = Quatrain
5 lines = Cinquain

Other stanza names:
Ballad stanza
Ottava rima

Stanzas are used in poetry for structure. The length and pattern of the stanza decides what type of poem it is.

Why don't you try writing a poem using metaphors and enter it into one of our poetry competitions.

For information on poetry terms other than a metaphor visit our poetry glossary – poetry terms.