It does not limit you to 14 lines, and some actually reach up to 16 lines.īelow, you’ll see an example of a Shakespearean sonnet’s rhyme scheme, taken from Sonnet 27 by the man himself. Lastly, the Stretched sonnet is a more modern type of sonnet. A Spenserian sonnet, on the other hand, uses the abab bcbc cdcd ee rhyme scheme. The Miltonic sonnet also uses the Petrarchan rhyme scheme, but does not have the stanza break between the octave (set of 8 lines) and the sestet (set of 6 lines). Therefore, the Petrarchan rhyme scheme can provide a more flexible alternative to the Shakespearean. The Petrarchan rhyme scheme sees its first 8 lines follow an abbaabba format, while the rest follows a varied rhyme scheme. There are other rhyme schemes aside from the more common Shakesperean. Of course, your sonnet must rhyme, right? The next thing to do is figure out a rhyme scheme for your poem. However, if you are using figurative language, avoid overly abstract or ambiguous terms that your target audience would find hard to understand. Use creative imagery that explains the idea of your sonnet to your readers as clearly as possible. Make sure to be as visual as you can in expressing the topic or theme throughout the sonnet you are writing.
You might even find inspiration in books you’ve read or even political issues. Think of a single idea for your sonnet, whether it’s a feeling, a thought about life, or about people. The best thing about writing a sonnet is the amount of freedom it gives you in terms of theme. Some people might find writing sonnets to be daunting task-not surprising, since search results for the term include examples like Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18.īut don’t let the beauty of these classics intimidate you! Here is our simple guide to writing a sonnet that can walk you through each step. However, the rules for sonnets in modern poetry are a bit more flexible than they were in the days of Shakespeare. In English, sonnets typically contain 10 syllables per line, with 5 “beats” (the stressed syllables) per line. In the English sonnet, for example, lines 1 and 3 rhyme (a), as do 2 and 4 (b). There are other sonnet forms like the Petrarchan, Spenserian, Miltonic, and the stretched sonnet.Ī rhyme scheme is the ordered pattern of rhymes at the ends of a poem’s line or verse. It also has a strict rhyme scheme-for a Shakespearean or English sonnet, this pattern is abab cdcd efef gg. Sonnets have 14 lines, which can be broken down into four sections called quatrains. Derived from the Italian word sonetto, the sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, which consists of one short (or unstressed) syllable followed by one long (or stressed) syllable. What Is the Format of a Sonnet?īefore you can start writing your own sonnet, we should explore its characteristics. Its versatility allows a poet to express their feelings about love, nature, or even politics. However, before William Shakespeare popularized this type of poem, the term could be applied to any short lyrical poem.īecause a sonnet is quite adaptable to different purposes, it is an excellent way to express a singular feeling or idea.
A sonnet is a poem of 14 lines using formal rhyme schemes.
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