Scansion

Scansion or a system of scansion (verb: to scan) is the act of determining and (usually) graphically representing the metrical character of a line of verse. In classical poetry, these patterns are based on the different lengths of each syllable, and in English poetry, they are based on the different levels of stress placed on each syllable. In both cases, the meter often has a regular foot. Over the years, many different systems have been established to mark the scansion of a poem.