1) Introduction to the two most popular sonnet forms
Italian/Petrarchan
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English/Shakespearean
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Syllables
per line
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10
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10
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Rhyme
Scheme
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abbaabba cdecde
(or c d d c d d, c d d e c e, or c d d c c d or...)
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Abab cdcd efef gg
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General
Shape
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First 8 lines present a problem.
(Main Idea)
Last six lines solve it. Often ironic.
(Conclusion)
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First three sets consider a topic with
a similar image. (Main idea)
The final couplet holds a paradox.
(Conclusion)
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2) Examples - and some work...Handout.
Anthem for Doomed Youth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlDoon91vZk
How Do I Love Thee? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vog4hMSprls
If you want to read more sonnets, some of the most famous traditional ones are here:
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson830/sonnet-links.html
3) Now, WE are going to write a sonnet together!
Topic: LoveWhat type? Vote?
Rule #1: The sonnet must be completed in one class period.
Rule #2: Everyone must try to make a contribution to the sonnet we will write.
Rule #3: The sonnet must be 14 lines long.
Rule #4: The sonnet must have no more and no less than 10 syllables per line.
Rule #5: The sonnet must be of either the English or Italian forms.
Rule #6: The sonnet must deal with the subject of love.
Rule #7: If the sonnet is going to be in the English form, the logical progression of thought should be as follows: the first 12 lines develop the main idea, and the last 2 lines (a rhymed couplet) give the conclusion.
If we select the Italian form, the pattern should be thus: The first 8 lines develop the main idea, and the last 6 lines give the conclusion.
Rule #8: Once something has been written on the sonnet, it cannot be changed (except for spelling).
4) Homework: Reading your novel... and the comma and semi-colon review sheet.
