Enjambment: Let Lines Flow

Enjambment carries thought across line breaks. The sentence doesn't end when the line ends; it flows into the next. This creates momentum and suspense. Readers want to know what comes next.

"The cat sat / on the mat" uses enjambment. The reader holds "sat" while moving to next line. This technique propels the poem forward and creates emphasis. "She loved / him despite everything"—the break after "loved" emphasizes emotion.

Use enjambment intentionally. If every line enjambs, you lose effect. Mix enjambed and end-stopped lines to create rhythm. Enjambment is especially powerful in free verse.