Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which symbols are used to mark stress, weak syllables, feet, and caesuras in scansion?

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In graphic scansion, specific symbols are used to visually represent the metrical structure of a poem. These symbols help reveal the rhythm and mechanics of the verse:12

  • Stressed syllables: Represented by an acute accent (´) or a macron (—).12
  • Weak (unstressed) syllables: Represented by a breve (˘).12
  • Feet: Divisions between feet—the basic units of stressed and unstressed syllables—are marked with a single vertical line (|).12
  • Caesuras: A caesura, or a pause within a line, is marked with a double vertical line (‖).312

Additionally, a carat (∧) is sometimes used to mark a syllable that is metrically expected but does not actually occur in the line. These symbols allow for a simplified analysis of a poem's rhythm, though they may not capture the full complexity of natural speech patterns.21