How to Write an Original Sonnet Poem
A sonnet is a rhyming poem that consists of 14 iambic pentameter lines. An iambic pentameter consists of 10 syllables. Traditionally, these syllables are broken into five sets of pairs with each pair placing emphasis on the second syllable. An example is this line from Shakespeare's Sonnet 30: "Which I now pay as if not paid before." The rhyme scheme in a sonnet is determined by the form type. Sonnets are often required writing in high school and college English classes, but can also be fun or romantic gifts for loved ones and friends.
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Instructions
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Choose a topic. Love, romance, life and nature are all traditional choices for sonnets, but, unlike some forms of poetry, any topic is fair game. Sonnets need not be serious in tone. You may write a sonnet about your struggles with learning physics if you choose.
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Choose a form (rhyme scheme.) Rhyme schemes are written using letters of the alphabet to represent each line. All lines that are assigned the same letter should rhyme with one another. There are three main forms of sonnets. Shakespearean sonnets (sometimes called English sonnets) use the rhyme scheme "a b a b c d c d e f e f g g." The basic rhyme scheme for an Italian sonnet is "a b b a a b b a c d c d c d", though this form also offers some legitimate variations in the last six lines. The Spenserian sonnet uses the scheme "a b a b b c b c c d c d e e."
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Write your poem. Remember the rhyme and meter requirements. The first few may take lots of time and practice, but be patient and stick with it. Once you master the technique, the sonnet is considered one of the easiest rhyming poems to write.
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Tips & Warnings
If rhyming isn't your strong suit, consider consulting a rhyming dictionary. They are available online or in stores.
Avoid adding unnecessary words just to make the meter come out right. If it doesn't fit, it isn't the right word.
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