* Poetry is the most common type of literary work written in metrical form.
* Meter is the organized pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry.
* Rhythm is the flow of the language, which is created by the meter.
Examples of Metrical Forms in Poetry:
* Iambic Pentameter: This is the most common metrical form in English poetry. It consists of five metrical feet, each with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (e.g., "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?").
* Trochaic Tetrameter: This meter has four metrical feet, each with a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable (e.g., "Double, double toil and trouble").
* Anapestic Trimeter: This meter has three metrical feet, each with two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable (e.g., "The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the fold").
Beyond Poetry:
While poetry is the most common form of metrical writing, there are some instances where prose might employ a metrical structure:
* Blank Verse: This is unrhymed iambic pentameter. While technically prose, it often appears in dramatic works like Shakespeare's plays.
* Metrical Prose: This is a rare form of prose writing that utilizes a specific metrical pattern. It's often used for effect, creating a heightened or lyrical tone.
In summary, a literary work in metrical form typically refers to poetry, but it can also encompass prose with a deliberate metrical structure, creating a specific rhythm and impact.