How to Write a Poem in Iambic Pentameter

Iambic pentameter is a meter, rhyme and rhythm pattern in poetry. Iambic pentameter can be seen in most major renaissance and medieval poetry. Chaucer, Milton and Shakespeare were all famous for the use of iambic pentameter in their writing. Iambic refers to an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. Pentameter means there are five beats or meters per line.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Decide what you want your poem to be about. If this is an assignment for school you may have a topic assigned to you.

2. Determine whether or not you will write a rhyming poem, blank verse or a sonnet.

3. Choose a rhyme pattern for rhyming poetry. Example: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

4. Think about how many lines you plan to write and if it should be divided into stanzas.

5. Write your first line and count out the beats. Your lines should have five beats or meters per line.

6. Make sure that your syllables have one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one. Example: Tee DUM, tee DUM, tee DUM.

7. Proofread your poem using slash marks above each word to indicate stressed and unstressed beats. Count up your beats and write at the end of each line. If you're over or under you'll have to go back and rework.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a topic for your poem that you feel strongly about or have some knowledge. Poems written from knowledge or personal experience tend to flow easier the first time around.

• Write poems with a set number of lines and a predetermined rhyming pattern if you're new to poetry writing. Patterns and numbers will help make choosing words easier.