English Literature GCSE
Free Verse
What Free Verse means in English Literature GCSE, as defined for Eduqas, OCR, Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of Free Verse
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular meter.
Poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular metre.
Poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular meter. 'The Manhunt' is written in free verse, which contributes to its conversational and fragmented feel.
Poetry that does not have a regular meter or rhyme scheme. Duffy uses free verse in 'Valentine' to create a conversational, direct, and honest tone.
Poetry that does not have a regular rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. It mimics the rhythms of natural speech.
Poetry that does not have a regular rhythm or rhyme scheme.
Topics that use Free Verse
- Cozy Apologia (Eduqas GCSE)
- Miracle on St David's Day (Eduqas GCSE)
- Section B (20%) Poetry 1789 to the present day (Eduqas GCSE)
- The Hill Fort (Eduqas GCSE)
- Valentine (Eduqas GCSE)
- Conflict Anthology (OCR GCSE)
- Exploring poetry and Shakespeare (02) (OCR GCSE)
- Poetry across time (OCR GCSE)
- The Manhunt (OCR GCSE)
- Unseen Poetry: Analysis and Comparison (OCR GCSE)
- Valentine (OCR GCSE)
- Anthology Poetry Comparison (named poem vs. poem of choice from same collection) (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Comparing Texts (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Conflict Poetry Anthology (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Poetry (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Poetry Anthology: Conflict (15 poems – Romantic, Literary Heritage, Contemporary) (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Poetry Anthology: Time and Place (15 poems – Romantic, Literary Heritage, Contemporary) (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Poetry since 1789 – Pearson Poetry Anthology (choice of collection: Relationships, Conflict, Time and Place, Belonging) (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Time and Place Poetry Anthology (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Unseen Contemporary Poetry Comparison (two unseen poems linked by theme) (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
Using Free Verse in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
Practise English Literature questions
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