Sonnet Form
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It must consist of 14
lines
It must be written in
iambic pentameter
(duh-DUH-duh-DUH-duhDUH-duh-DUH-duh-DUH)

It must be written in
one of various
standard rhyme
schemes. In the
Shakespearean sonnet,
the most familiar kind
of sonnet, the rhyme
scheme is this—
Writer's Block by B. B. Covert
I sit and stare at my computer screen,
(a)
But not one thought reveals itself to me.
(b)
I search my mind for some dramatic scene. (a)
My mind's as blank as e'er a mind could be. (b)
I reach for paper. Will the block then break (c)
As I compose my sonnet now by hand?
(d)
But pen in hand does not a poem make,
(c)
And no ideas come at my command.
(d)
So screen or paper, neither give me aid.
(e)
My creativity has gone away,
(f)
And I am left bereft and so afraid
(e)
That I shall never find the words to say.
(f)
Now with a sigh I put these thoughts in ink. (g)
My sonnet's finished. Tell me what you think! (g)
Sonnet Form
A SONNET IS ALSO AN ARGUMENT — IT BUILDS IN A CERTAIN WAY.
In a Shakespearean sonnet, the argument builds as follows—
FIRST QUATRAIN: An exposition of the main theme and main metaphor
SECOND QUATRAIN: Theme and metaphor extended or complicated; often, some
imaginative example is given
THIRD QUATRAIN: Peripeteia (a twist or conflict), often introduced by a "but" (very often
leading off the ninth line)
COUPLET: Summarizes and leaves the reader with a new, concluding image
Sonnet Form Instructions
Goal: Using the Shakespearean sonnet as your model, write a sonnet
describing the conflicts that arise in the story “The Most Dangerous
Game”.
1. Decide on the most important conflict in the story
• Circle the Conflict: man vs. self/man vs. man/man vs. nature/man vs. society
2. Use at least three of the following literary devices (see your notes) to
give merit to your writing: imagery/ personification/ onomatopoeia/ simile/
metaphor/ assonance/ consonance/ alliteration
3. It must consist of 14 lines
4. It must be written in iambic pentameter (duh-DUH-duh-DUH-duh-DUHduh-DUH-duh-DUH)
5. It must be written in the Shakespearean sonnet rhyme scheme, as noted on the
first slide (front page of your handout)
Sonnet Form Blank Format
Sonnet Title:__________________________________________________________________
(Exposition of the main theme/metaphor)
________________________________________________________________________________________ A
________________________________________________________________________________________ B
________________________________________________________________________________________ A
________________________________________________________________________________________ B
(Theme extended, with imaginative example)
________________________________________________________________________________________C
________________________________________________________________________________________D
________________________________________________________________________________________C
________________________________________________________________________________________D
(A twist or conflict, often introduced by a "but")
________________________________________________________________________________________ E
________________________________________________________________________________________ F
________________________________________________________________________________________ E
________________________________________________________________________________________ F
(Summarize/ leave the reader with a new, concluding image)
________________________________________________________________________________________G
________________________________________________________________________________________G
Sonnet Form
Example
A superstition looms about the yacht
that big game hunters ride to seek their prey.
Our Rainsford’s thoughts are focused on gunshots,
and overzealousness consumes his way.
The blood warm waters of the evil sea
have led our hero through the jagged crags
of thistle, thorns, and tigers that may be
forcing his confidence and strength to lag.
Looking ahead, Rainsford succumbs to light,
while darkness swallows everything around.
Another hunter causes men a fright,
but Rainsford puts him far under the ground.
As Rainsford sunk into his better bed,
the passion of the hunt haunted his head...
Sonnet: Final Copy Requirements
14 lines
7 pairs of rhymes (ababcdcdefefgg) with none repeating
Argument/Theme develops logically
Iambic pentameter (da-DUM-da-DUM-da-DUM-da-DUM-da-DUM)
o 10 syllables per line, 5 unstressed/stressed pairs
 Three literary devices—end rhyme scheme doesn’t count!
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(see 99 terms you received at the beginning of the year)
 Type final copy, any legible font, take up the entire page,
and add images if you so wish!
 Make sure you have a title!
 Save as LastName(s)_DangerousSonnet
 Review rubric, make changes, fill out rubric (which device
and on what line), and print (color printer—ask Lang)!