1. Basic Sonnet Information
Please pick up the half sheet (with sonnet 130) on the dresser.

2. History of the sonnet Originally started in Italy in the 13th Century
The word sonnet means little song
There are two kinds: Petrarchan and Shakespearean
Shakespearean sonnets are written in iambic pentameter (a term for measurement), but the Petrarchan sonnet was not.
William Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets

3. Components of a sonnet 14 lines Each line consists of 10 syllables
Shakespeare would add or take away a syllable to make the word fit altering the pronunciation of the word; sometimes he would add an 11th syllable, breaking the rule
Every other syllable in the line is stressed to give it a rhythm that sounds like da-DUM, da-DUM
Written in iambic pentameter (a term for a measurement)
Broken into 3 quatrains
A quatrain is a group of 4 lines
The last 2 lines are called a couplet. These two lines rhyme
Rhyme scheme for a Shakespearean sonnet:
abab, cdcd, efef, gg

4. Ideas in Shakespeare’s sonnets
In a sonnet, two related but differing things are shown to the reader in order to communicate an idea about them
Relationships
Range of emotions about love. How great love can be, how bad love can be, and everything in between!
In his sonnets he uses vivid imagery, similes, metaphors etc. to convey his message about love and relationships
Since he is telling a story in each sonnet, he employed the use of a Volta
Volta: a turn or twist
In Shakespeare’s sonnets, there would be a turn/twist in the middle (lines 8 or 9) or at the couplet (the last 2 lines) that would create the tension of ideas; it acts as a surprise ending

5. Quatrain 1 (lines 1-4) Quatrain 2 (lines 5-8) Quatrain 3 (lines 9-12)
A (sun)
B (red)
A (dun)
B (head)
C (white)
D (cheeks)
C (delight)
D (reeks)
E (know)
F (sound)
E (go)
F (ground)
G (rare)
G (compare)
Quatrain 1 (lines 1-4)
Quatrain 2 (lines 5-8)
Quatrain 3 (lines 9-12)
Couplet (lines 13-14)
Volta-look for transition words such as: but, therefore, however, yet, or, so. These words are a good place to start.

6. Now it’s your turn!
You will compose an original sonnet. And yes, you will share this with the class!
Requirements:
14 lines of your best creative writing
10 syllables per line; however you can have one line with 11 syllables (iambic pentameter: da-DUM, da-Dum, or as close as you can get!)
Follow the rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef gg
Tackle it in chunks. Do two to four lines at a time. Don’t worry about it all at once.
Must have a Volta.

7. What should you write about?
School, your boyfriend/girlfriend, art, spring, rain, snow, a smile, how depressing/exciting the end of the school year will be for you, missing someone, emptiness, metacognition, love, lunch, spaghetti, dogs, homework, water-skiing, Shakespeare, your favorite book, a vacation, childhood…Whatever. Everything’s good. It can be happy, sad, funny, crazy, serious…Just be creative!
DUE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13 AT THE BEGINNING OF THE HOUR. 20 POINTS. Typed or neatly handwritten. No spiral notebook paper.