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.

How to make a iambic pentameter sonnet