Poetry Contest Assignment
For this year’s poetry contest, you will write a poem called an English or
Shakespearean sonnet.
This type of poem is very structured. It has exactly 14 lines with a strict rhyme
scheme:
The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean Sonnet is abab cdcd efef gg.
A Shakespearean Sonnet consists of three quatrains or four line stanzas, and a
couplet. Each quatrain is one unit of thought in the poem, similar to a paragraph
in prose. The ending couplet comments on the preceding three quatrains.
Your assignment is to write a Shakespearean sonnet. You may write on any topic.
You must give your poem a title and follow the rhyme scheme and pattern
above. In other words, your poem must be in three parts followed by the couplet.
In addition, all Shakespearean sonnets are written in iambic pentameter. You
need not do this except in your couplet, both lines of which should be in iambic
pentameter. As we learned in class, an iambic pentameter line contains 10
syllables in iambic (short-long) meter. Use your handout on meter to refresh your
memory.
Type your poem on one page, one-inch margins, double spaced with 12-point
Times New Roman or equivalent font. No art work or cover.
Print and turn in two copies. One will have your name on it and one will not. You
may hand-write your name. I will grade the one with your name on it. The other
will be turned in to the judges for the contest.
This assignment is due in class on _______________________________________.