How to Write a Sonnet - Write your own Shakespearean sonnet

Learn how to write a sonnet so you can pen your own Shakespearean style sonnet. We break down the elements that make up a sonnet and some tips to write your own.
 
In this video we talk about the elements you need to think about when writing a sonnet of your own and include a short break down of sonnet 18 as an example.

2 free tools - a sonnet:
I mentioned at the start some tools to use
That you can find online to help you through
They are both free and they can help you choose
Words that will help you write a sonnet too

The first rhymezone which lives up to its name
It helps you find a rhyme for any word
Something so simple can help change the game
And make the fear of writing seem absurd

This helps extend my vocabulary
Anytime I think a word will bomb
I use this and it makes me feel less wary

Don’t just rely on these two tools of course
Imagination is the driving force.

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[walkabout]

To write a sonnet, let your heart engage,
In fourteen lines, your thoughts upon the page,
With structured rhyme and meter, it shall flow,
A timeless form, where poets often go.

Begin with themes that stir your soul's desire,
A love, a hope, a dream that sets on fire,
Or ponder life's complexities and woe,
In sonnet's frame, your feelings freely show.

Choose rhyme scheme wisely, A-B-A-B,
Or Petrarchan style, more complex to see,
With octave and sestet, two parts unfold,
In sonnet's dance, their tales to be told.

And in the end, the couplet, it shall bind,
A twist, a resolution, in your lines you'll find,
So write with passion, let your verses soar,
In sonnet's embrace, your art to explore.

[Sergeidagreat]

You did better that my ELA teacher thank you for the clear explanation
😊

[katielester]

This looks terrific! Love the clear instructions and explanations. (Hadn’t heard that alliteration could refer to vowel sounds - thought this was assonance.) Thank you!

[gabicreightonbooksetc.]

This video is super duper helpful.
I love your sonnet in the description box. It’s truly helpful for me as a beginner, because the language is more relatable.
Thank you very much.🙏🏽🌸

[MarisasMoonlitCreations]

Thank you for this video. I've taken Shakespeare in high school and college. This brings back good memories. ☺

[cuvvychase]

This video was immensely helpful. Never thought I would ever understand Shakespeare this video. Thank you 🙏🏽

[kevnar]

The end is not the only time to rhyme
Just take a break from that for pity's sake
A mid-line rhyme is also quite sublime
so shake it up, when you a sonnet make

[johnbray]

Really good video. A sonnet from the heart is a most powerful thing

[hmq]

Excellent video that dissects the sonnet and provides useful advice on writing them! Many thanks!

[atharvart]

Amazing video honestly 😀👍 I really struggled with the iambic pentameter (that da-DUM rhythm particularly). Now I've been reading more classical sonnets to improve my ear for that purpose, here's a sonnet i wrote on Dandelions flowers, hope you like it !🙂

In gardens or at edges, golden flowers-

Of dandelions flutter in every breeze.

Then closed by Time’s sickles and passing hours,

And burst with winds into the sky with ease.

 

They dance and wave around this boundless sky,

And I just gaze and gaze from rooted land.

Across and over hills and valleys high,

And I just walk with earth’s own tethered strands.

 

But nature’s cane is harsh on fragile puff;

With broken wings, they drift and softly moan.

To grow and bloom again in land quite rough,

And freedom gets reduced to single bone.

 

   So far the wings may carry you above,

   At only earth we find eternal love.

[hannahsiega]

Oh my goodness, thank you so so much! This really helps me save time. I'm writing a sonnet for my project, and i'm sure that your videos are one of those guides that will make it a great one. Thank you!

[theheroboy]

Just wrote a Shakespearean sonnet to my crush, let’s see how it’s going to turn out

[maricarariosa]

Excellent! Thank you sire for your helpful tips, i was now clarified and understand a little on how to write a sonnet.

[lisajobarr]

You are a great teacher! I run a writers group at a mental health center and the way you described was Exquisite! Will be playing for my clients during our These Pages Talk group.

[icedude]

Thank you! As writing a sonnet for the first time, this really helps.

[jcletchford]

Thank you very much, I found this very helpful. I was over complicating the structure and this video simplified things.

[GlowingOlderandHealthier]

I can see where this video would help students. Well done

[hh-xg]

this is a very good video it helped me a lot in my poem

[yanchi]

I made some sonnet because I got inspired, but when I tried to read it out loud it just doesn't sound right, and when you explained the Iambic pentameter I was like "that's it, that's the one I so not have on my sonnet"

Thank you for the precise explanation. I'm on my way to redo two sonnets that I made

[mohdasad]

Sir, , can I use hexameter in Shakespearen sonnet. Plz answer me!