Practical Guide to English Versification With a Compendious Dictionary of Rhymes, an Examination of Classical Measures, and Comments Upon Burlesque and Comic Verse, Vers de Société, and Song-writing

"Practical Guide to English Versification" by Tom Hood is a detailed handbook from the 1800s focused on teaching the technical skills of English versification. The book doesn’t attempt to inspire poetic genius, but rather to inform readers about the rules and structures used in verse. Setting the stage for an intensive study of English poetry's fundamentals, the author makes it clear that, while genuine poetic ability is a gift, anyone can master verse creation through committed study and application, and he presents ideas like perfect rhymes and exact line construction, with a focus on keeping rhythm and sound balance.