A Sonnet Sonnet

A sonnet about writing a sonnet.

If you can count to ten and you can rhyme

Writing a sonnet should be no trouble

Adding the syllables, just take your time

Simply do five and then make it double

 

Though your work may not be just like Shakespeare

The effort will infuse a sense of pride

Your rhymes may seem odd to the untrained ear

But fear not, for the words will somehow glide

 

The topic may be anything you choose

As long as you stick with ABAB

Something joyful, or you may sing the blues

Just have fun on your sonnet-writing spree

 

Survey at once the words you’ve composed here

It’s finished now and you’re a sonneteer. 

Author's Note

Yes, I know writing about writing is a no-no. However, if I am going to get kids to attempt this, I'd better present it in a compelling manner.

Reviews

[richom]

I wasn't sure if I should mention the lack of iambic pentameter, for it would be a bit mean-spirited. However, I see you've covered that in your previous review. Putting that aside, I wish my teachers had been as inventive in their teaching methods as you. This will surely make the task less imposing for your students.

[Rita L. Sev]

I knew you would catch that, Rich! I figure that the 14 lines with strict syllable count and rhyme scheme are enough for the students to tackle on their first try... so I didn't sweat it either. ;) Thank you!

[SheWolfNLust]

Sonnets are most fun to write, the one trouble I have is where the syllables are non stressed and stressed, I know a sonnet needs a 'deDUM deDUM deDUM deDUM deDUM' , sound of which is unstressed/stressed = I iambic foot, any how one of these day's I'll get meters and I enjoyed your poem and the lesson, thanks for sharing xoxo

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you! The stressed syllables are my weakest points in sonnet-writing, too - as the second stanza here shows. But, the attempt is fun, and my students are willing to try if I tell them to just count to ten and rhyme every other line. It's a start! Thanks for reading and commenting!