The Common Sonnet - How To
A brief explanation of how to construct a sonnet27 total reviews
Comment from maybar
Excellent explanation. Now I have to find out if it is allowed to print certain parts. I like rhyme, and the rhythm it creates. I am musician and pro dancer so timing is part of that. Your entire work..Well Done
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Excellent explanation. Now I have to find out if it is allowed to print certain parts. I like rhyme, and the rhythm it creates. I am musician and pro dancer so timing is part of that. Your entire work..Well Done
Comment Written 20-Sep-2013
Comment from Bayberry
I truly appreciate all the work you have put into posting this essay. The information is bound to be an excellent tool for further use of all readers interested in improving their writing of sonnets. Thank you greatly! :> Janet
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I truly appreciate all the work you have put into posting this essay. The information is bound to be an excellent tool for further use of all readers interested in improving their writing of sonnets. Thank you greatly! :> Janet
Comment Written 20-Sep-2013
Comment from Bryana
Well Mike how generous of your to help with the writing of a sonnet. I've tried to write sonnets using two quatrains and sestet, my favorite.
Your essay has given me inspiration to try writing more sonnets. Thank you my friend.
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Well Mike how generous of your to help with the writing of a sonnet. I've tried to write sonnets using two quatrains and sestet, my favorite.
Your essay has given me inspiration to try writing more sonnets. Thank you my friend.
Comment Written 19-Sep-2013
Comment from pattipac
Thank you, Mike, for your in depth lesson on sonnet writing. As yet, I have been reluctant to take on writing a sonnet. Thanks to you, I now feel I may give it a try. Succeed or fail, it should be a learning experience for me and hopefully improve my poetic skill.
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Thank you, Mike, for your in depth lesson on sonnet writing. As yet, I have been reluctant to take on writing a sonnet. Thanks to you, I now feel I may give it a try. Succeed or fail, it should be a learning experience for me and hopefully improve my poetic skill.
Comment Written 18-Sep-2013
Comment from Imadeany
I found this informative and even inspirational. I'm not a poet, but occasionally I try what I call free verse. I am a bit intimidated by rhyme scheme and rigid construction constraints, but your writing approach has given me the courage to try. I like that you construct and deconstruct the form in a step by step format that provides the reader a lot of insight into not only how a sonnet is written, but how it should look and feel to a reader. I also like your conversational, casual style...less like a lecture and more like a friend which makes the subject all the more approachable for me.
I did not care for the "aside" device of imparting details, it kinda broke the flow of your instruction for me. That is not, however, to be taken as a criticism, it might just be me. However, it is the reason I gave the piece five rather than six stars. Along the same lines, I felt it was a mistake not to include some explanation and instruction on iambic pentameter. You could still refer the reader to your piece about iambic meter for more information.
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I found this informative and even inspirational. I'm not a poet, but occasionally I try what I call free verse. I am a bit intimidated by rhyme scheme and rigid construction constraints, but your writing approach has given me the courage to try. I like that you construct and deconstruct the form in a step by step format that provides the reader a lot of insight into not only how a sonnet is written, but how it should look and feel to a reader. I also like your conversational, casual style...less like a lecture and more like a friend which makes the subject all the more approachable for me.
I did not care for the "aside" device of imparting details, it kinda broke the flow of your instruction for me. That is not, however, to be taken as a criticism, it might just be me. However, it is the reason I gave the piece five rather than six stars. Along the same lines, I felt it was a mistake not to include some explanation and instruction on iambic pentameter. You could still refer the reader to your piece about iambic meter for more information.
Comment Written 18-Sep-2013
Comment from Sally Carter
Brilliant! What a well constructed essay, Mike. Everything clear, well explained, and fine examples to illustrate your point.
I have all this information available in books, but to find it all summarised so well, including those five extra ones, four of which I had never heard of but which provides inspiration for exploring, is very useful.
Hats off to you for demystifying the form so eloquently. I love sonnets, and this reinforces that affection and encourages me to do better.
I would have given this a 6 had I one left in the locker.
I wonder whether an extra "r" has crept into Pertrarca?
A fine essay, which I hope FS will maybe keep somewhere on Poetry Dances?
Best wishes
Sally
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Brilliant! What a well constructed essay, Mike. Everything clear, well explained, and fine examples to illustrate your point.
I have all this information available in books, but to find it all summarised so well, including those five extra ones, four of which I had never heard of but which provides inspiration for exploring, is very useful.
Hats off to you for demystifying the form so eloquently. I love sonnets, and this reinforces that affection and encourages me to do better.
I would have given this a 6 had I one left in the locker.
I wonder whether an extra "r" has crept into Pertrarca?
A fine essay, which I hope FS will maybe keep somewhere on Poetry Dances?
Best wishes
Sally
Comment Written 18-Sep-2013
Comment from Ekim777
I have several sonnets scattered through my posts which fellow poets tell me are flawed. I say even Shakespeare cheated on his syllable count in his dramatic pieces. The stumbling point is, as much as I admire this classic art form, I falter over the iambic pentameter and I am a stickler for cadence. Did you know that most Blues lines are ten syllables which means any Shakespearian sonnet can be sung by an old blues player. Believe me, it works. I like your sonnet as presented. -Ekim777
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I have several sonnets scattered through my posts which fellow poets tell me are flawed. I say even Shakespeare cheated on his syllable count in his dramatic pieces. The stumbling point is, as much as I admire this classic art form, I falter over the iambic pentameter and I am a stickler for cadence. Did you know that most Blues lines are ten syllables which means any Shakespearian sonnet can be sung by an old blues player. Believe me, it works. I like your sonnet as presented. -Ekim777
Comment Written 18-Sep-2013
Comment from Thatguypk
I've never written a proper sonnet, but by God, you've given me both the knowledge and the desire to give it a go! :-) Great article. I'm always pleased to stumble upon useful pieces like this. Thank you.
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I've never written a proper sonnet, but by God, you've given me both the knowledge and the desire to give it a go! :-) Great article. I'm always pleased to stumble upon useful pieces like this. Thank you.
Comment Written 18-Sep-2013
Comment from sweetwoodjax
this is very well written, mike, you did an excellent job writing this essay sharing the mechanics if a sonnet. i enjoyed reading this one. i'll check out the iambic meter
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this is very well written, mike, you did an excellent job writing this essay sharing the mechanics if a sonnet. i enjoyed reading this one. i'll check out the iambic meter
Comment Written 18-Sep-2013
Comment from Suzarb
Wow! Not only is your knowledge of the sonnet in-depth, it is print-worthy! I find the sonnet a difficult write, but following your concise advice it's worth a try as I am more the free verse, natural rhythm kind of writer. Thanks for this - it is awesome!
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Wow! Not only is your knowledge of the sonnet in-depth, it is print-worthy! I find the sonnet a difficult write, but following your concise advice it's worth a try as I am more the free verse, natural rhythm kind of writer. Thanks for this - it is awesome!
Comment Written 17-Sep-2013
