Sonnet Writing

Sonnet Writing

You’ve read and paraphrased a few Shakespearean sonnets. Now test out your skills and write your own sonnet.

1^st draft due: ________________________________  Final draft due: _________________________

Here are some guidelines for writing a sonnet:

o 14 lines: 3 quatrains and 1 couplet which concludes the poem

o Each line is in iambic pentameter: 10 syllables, unstressed-stressed pattern

o Abab cdcd efef gg rhyme scheme

o Include metaphors, similes, personification, alliteration, and/or other literary devices

o Though Shakespeare’s sonnets are traditionally about love, beauty, and mortality, you can write about any topic

o You do not have to use Shakespearean language; you may use modern language. Just try to stick to the form.

o Try to follow all or most of these guidelines.

Other tips:

o Try starting a line with unstressed, single-syllable words such as: oh, I , is, but, if, from, a/an, when, are, and , for, my/his/her, as, like, or, in, the, so

o Use iambic words such as: pursue, enjoy, despite, progress, despise, emotional, compare, although, colonial, instead, America

Process:

Writing a sonnet is quite challenging. You can start by brainstorming. Think of a topic to write about. Start off with a main idea. Take your time and be patient. You may use a rhyming dictionary. There are many on-line: http://www.rhymezone.com/ or http://rhyme.poetry.com/

Name: ____________________________ Sonnet Rubric

Criteria	Student	Teacher Score
1. 14 lines
2. Rhyme scheme – abab cdcd efef gg
3. 10 syllables per line and/or iambic pentameter
4. Literary devices
5. Clear theme/focus
6. Narrative structure (set up idea, elaborate, and conclude)
7. Attaches at least 1 draft
8. Sonnet is creative and enjoyable
9. Nice presentation and completed on time
10. Reads aloud with clarity, volume, emotion, and   body language or creates an illustration to complement the poem

Further thinking:

1. Why do you think sonnets are still written and read today? Why do you think they have lasted for about 700 years?

2. In what ways is the sonnet freeing? In what ways does it hinder you as a writer?

3. How and where do we see the sonnet today? Who are the sonneteers of today? Bring in examples of songs and poems that are or are like sonnets? What rhythms and feet do you notice?