The term itself can be separated into two components.

× / × / × / × / × / – where '/' marks a stressed syllable and 'x' stands for an unstressed syllable. In its traditional form, an iambic pattern can be shown in the following scheme: Every line of a piece written in this style consists of 5 iambs, with a single iamb being a combination of 2 syllables – one unstressed and one stressed one. An iambic pentameter is a specific type of a verse in lyric poetry that is built on iamb rhythmic patterns.