How to Write a Hexaduad

The Hexaduad is a syllabic Old English form of poetry, comprised of a series of rhyming couplets that vary between 2, 4, 6, and 8 syllables per line. It contains one stanza of six rhyming couplets or twelve lines. The rhyme scheme is set at 2/2/6/6/8/8/4/4/6/6/4/4. The syllable structure is aa, bb, cc, dd, ee, ff.

Things You'll Need

• Paper and pencil or word processor
• Creativity
• Patience

Instructions

Instructions

1. Write line one with two syllables.

2. Write line two with two syllables and a last word that rhymes with the last word of line one.

3. Write line three with six syllables.

4. Write line four with six syllables and a last word that rhymes with the last word of line three.

5. Write line five with eight syllables.

6. Write line six with eight syllables and a last word that rhymes with the last word of line five.

7. Write line seven with four syllables.

8. Write line eight with four syllables and a last word that rhymes with the last word of line seven.

9. Write line nine with six syllables.

10. Write line ten with six syllables and a last word that rhymes with the last word of line nine.

11. Write line eleven with four syllables.

12. Write line twelve with four syllables and a last word that rhymes with the last word of line eleven.