Here's a breakdown:
* Stanza: A group of lines forming a unit in a poem.
* Tercet: A stanza specifically consisting of three lines.
Key characteristics of tercets:
* Rhyme scheme: Tercets often have a set rhyme scheme, such as ABA, ABC, or even AAA (all lines rhyming).
* Meter: The rhythmic pattern of a tercet can vary, but some common meters include iambic pentameter or trochaic tetrameter.
Famous examples of tercets:
* "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot: Uses a unique ABA rhyme scheme throughout, creating a distinct musical effect.
* "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost: Uses a simple AAA rhyme scheme, making the poem memorable and easy to recite.
Tercets offer poets a concise and flexible form to explore a wide range of themes and emotions.