What term refers to a pause in a line of poetry, often signified by a slash or a comma?

The term that refers to a pause in a line of poetry, often signified by a slash or a comma, is caesura. This is a critical element within poetry as it creates a natural break or pause that can add emphasis to certain words or phrases within a line. The presence of a caesura can alter the rhythm and flow of the poem, allowing for a deeper emotional or thematic impact.

Punctuation, while partly related to how pauses can be indicated in writing, generally refers to the marks used in writing to organize and clarify meaning, and is broader than just poetic pauses. Elision involves the omission of sounds or syllables in speech or writing, not specifically indicating a pause, and a couplet refers to a pair of successive rhyming lines in a verse. Understanding the specific role of a caesura helps in analyzing the structure and meaning of poetry more effectively.