lesson
A line ending is a choice
1 · Learn
A stanza groups lines, while enjambment continues a sentence across a line break without a full stop. A pause within a line may create another kind of break. These choices can influence emphasis and anticipation.
Original lines: 'I left the gate / unlatched, and waited.' The first line briefly withholds what happened to the gate. Reading should follow sense as well as layout; not every line ending requires a full stop in the voice.
2 · Worked example
I notice that unlatched arrives after the break, momentarily completing the action in a new way. I test a slight pause and a flowing reading before choosing.
3 · Your turn
Why should you not automatically stop fully at every printed line ending?
Check your answer
A sentence may continue across it, and an automatic full stop can distort the syntax or intended flow.
4 · Apply your learning
Arrange a short original sentence into two different line patterns and discuss the effect on expectation.
Adult guidance and safety
Discuss interpretations using the words actually supplied. Give feedback on complete drafts and spoken contributions. These original short models must be accompanied by sustained whole-text study and a diverse reading programme; they do not fulfil author-in-depth or Shakespeare requirements by themselves.
Open your writing and drawing pad
Write, draw or show your working. Use a mouse, pen or finger. This pad is not a submitted answer.
Not saved to your account. Download your drawing as PNG and your typed notes as TXT before leaving or refreshing. They are separate files. Do not enter private information.
Open a picture saved on this device to draw on it again. Opening replaces the drawing, but Undo can restore it. PNG only, up to 4 MB and 4096 × 4096 pixels. The picture stays in this browser; it is not uploaded. Paper lines in a saved picture become part of that picture.
Clear the drawing? Your typed notes will stay. You can undo this action.
Your pad is empty.
Open a UTF-8 TXT file from this device, up to 40 KB and 10,000 characters. It stays in this browser. Opening can be undone until you type again. Downloads keep a new copy; they do not change the file you opened.
Replace the notes on this page with the opened file? Download the current notes first if you want to keep them.
Typed notes are not submitted answers.
Practice this lesson
Lesson resources
Browse the available practice activities and worksheets for this lesson.
Your progress