Do you consider yourself a creative person? Usually, these types of people see shapes, shapes, different shades, etc. everywhere. The simple song of the birds or the whistling of the wind through the trees, become a beautiful melody.
They have skin-deep sensitivity and a moment of inspiration can be likened to an epiphany. They are very spiritual people, who have a great connection with their inner self, but also with nature, with the universe and with a superior force.
They usually demonstrate these characteristics from a very early age. They prefer reading a book to watching television or writing, instead of going outside to play with their friends. In fact, they use writing as a way to drain all their emotions, negative and positive.
Writing becomes an alternative to show others how they see the world and what is in it. Some use the stories to recreate their own, someone else’s or the one they would like to live.
However, still others prefer poetry. In the beauty of words they find the perfect way to express themselves. Are you one of those who like to write poetry? Within this literary style it is possible to find a great variety of forms of writing. This gives you the opportunity to try different styles and thus avoid falling into monotony.
One of the oldest and most classical styles is the sonnet. Do you know what a sonnet is? What are main features? Especially, how can you write one? This time we will be telling you how to do it.
Actually, you will realize that it is not as complicated as it might seem. In fact, with enough practice, in no time you will become a true sonnet writer. Let’s see how you can achieve it.
Instructions for writing a sonnet
First of all, it is important that you are clear about what a sonnet is. It is one of the best-known poetic forms, which has been used for many centuries. Its origin dates back to the Middle Ages, being a source of inspiration for some of the greatest and most famous writers in the world, such as Francisco Quevedo, Miguel de Cervantes, Luis de Góngora, among others.
A sonnet is structured as follows: two quatrains and two triplets. Which means that it contains two stanzas of four verses and two more of three verses, following that same order.
In each of the quatrains, the first line rhymes with the last line, while the second line should rhyme with the third line. Also relevant is the fact that both quartets must use the same type of rhyme.
The verses are made up of eleven syllables, this is the most traditional form. However, there is a variant that is known as the Alexandrian sonnet, which has verses of 14 syllables each. Now, if your purpose is to write sonnets, you should let yourself be carried away by the following steps:
- The first thing is to find inspiration. Think about what you would like to write about. You can use different means. For example, a dream, a specific feeling, a real or hypothetical situation, a conflict, etc.
- The purpose is that you let your imagination fly. You will be surprised to realize how far it can go. Then, you must prepare to transform that idea into a work of art, in this case, a poem.
- Select words that are closely related to what you want to express, but make sure they are not part of the common. That is, it includes verbs, adjectives, nouns, adverbs and links that are not widely used. To do this, you can make a list of synonyms and have it handy when you go to write your sonnets. In this way you will be able to bring it greater richness and beauty.
- Before you begin, keep in mind that, like any story, a sonnet should have an introduction, a middle, a denouement, and a well-defined conclusion.
- Simply put, a sonnet is a story that you tell in a different writing pattern, a much more elaborate one.
- When beginning to write, remember that the sonnet has a specific structure, namely, two quatrains and two triplets made up of hendecasyllabic verses, that is, eleven syllables each. The exception to the rule is the Alexandrian sonnets that have verses of 14 syllables.
- Although there is no predetermined way of presenting the theme of the sonnet, it is usually addressed in the first quatrain and expanded upon in the second.
- The first triplet includes reflections on the central idea of the quatrains, while the last triplet concludes with a reflection, a moral or another profound idea and, in general, is usually the most emotional.
- Try to make the sentences your own and not too long, that they refer to the topic you want to address in the sonnet. Choose one of these sentences and measure the number of syllables that make it up.
- If the syllabic measure is eleven, you have hit the nail on the head! you can continue. If you go too far, try to shorten it by removing words or replacing them with others. There is also the option to continue the idea in the next verse.
So far, the process of making a sonnet seems straightforward and very easy to follow. But what other aspects do you need to know in order to write a sonnet correctly? let’s see it.
What do you need to write a sonnet?
When writing a sonnet it is necessary that you take care of the rhyme. Although it is true that there is no rule that must be followed to the letter, tradition mentions some more classic uses.
A prototype of a sonnet has the same rhyme in the first two quatrains, that is, ABBA; ABBA. While in triplets there are more free and flexible variants, such as CDE CDE; CDE DCE; CDC DCD.
When doing the syllabic count of the verses , place the number of syllables next to it along with the letter A or B to designate the rhyme that makes up the verse.
Continue with this idea making connections through links until you have managed to complete the first verse of the sonnet. Of course, as we have mentioned before, you must make sure that it has eleven syllables in each of the verses.
In order to perform this step, you need to have a basic understanding of metrics. Within the different linguistic studies, it is in charge of measuring the number of verses that make up a poetic composition, in order to establish the characteristics that it has.
This is the way to measure the lines of a poem:
- Learn the basic rules of hyphenating words, including how diphthongs, triphthongs, and hiatuses are formed.
- Related to the first point is knowing the general rules of accentuation, given that depending on the location of the accent, the syllable division can vary. The accents are what constitute the rhythm of the verse and its last word must be flat. If this is not the case, it will be necessary for the compensation law to be applied.
- This law establishes that verses that end in acute words are due one more syllable, while those that end in a plain word are subtracted by one syllable to achieve the natural rhythm of the verse.
The verses of minor art are those that have a maximum of 8 syllables. Depending on the number of these, they will be called disyllables, trisyllables, tetrasyllables, pentasyllables, hexasyllables, heptasyllables, or eight syllables.
In relation to those of greater art are the verses that are made up of more than 9 syllables. According to their number they will be called eneasyllables, decasyllables, hendecasyllables, tridecasyllables, and alejandrinos.
Measuring verses is a discipline that requires dedication, a great capacity for concentration and a minimum of basic knowledge. However, by mastering this technique, you will have advanced one more step towards the correct elaboration of sonnets.
What other aspects should you take into consideration in this particular? It is important that there are no unanswered doubts so that you can achieve your goal of learning to write sonnets.
Tips for writing a sonnet
When you’ve got your first verse down, read it out loud. This exercise will allow you to determine if the verses are heard well. If not, perhaps the problem is that they lack rhythm. In such a case, pay attention to the tonic syllable. Make sure that this is in the second or third, fourth or sixth, eighth and always in the tenth.
Then, you can move on to the elaboration of the second verse. In the same way, as you did in the previous case, you must verify both the number of syllables and the rhyme of each of the sentences.
When you’re done with the quatrains, it’s time for the triplets. You can designate these with the letters C, D and E, as we indicated previously. They must present the outcome of the conflict, as well as its conclusion.
Finally, review the sonnet by reading it aloud. If necessary, change words to give it a better sound, add style or order, or to make it much more creative and original.
Make as many adjustments as necessary until you think it’s ready. Then, determine where the central idea is to make sure it aligns with the topic you wanted to address.
If everything goes smoothly, it will be time to put a title and share it with others. Ask your friends and family to read it and give you an objective opinion. You can also turn to specialized teachers in the area of literature to make the necessary corrections and give you recommendations to improve more and more.
Actually, writing a sonnet is not complicated, it’s all a matter of practice. In addition, you must be dedicated and detailed, to ensure that it meets the particular characteristics that all sonnets must have.
Something that can also pave the way for you is to read as many sonnets as possible. Choose the authors that you like the most and the theme with which you feel most comfortable.
Keep in mind that there are different types of sonnets, such as the one that includes a verse or a set of verses followed by the 14 that make up the classical structure and which is known as the sonnet with strambote. There is also the English sonnet or the sonnet with echo.
The more familiar you are with this form of poetic writing, the better you will be when it comes to writing your own sonnets.
Finally, we recommend reading “A sonnet sends me to do Violante”. This is a satirical sonnet by Lope de Vega, which addresses the issue of the construction of a sonnet that has been commissioned.
This is an ideal read for those facing the construction of a sonnet for the first time. In it you will be able to notice the construction of the hendecasyllabic verses, as well as the typical structure of the sonnet.
Why don’t you get to work and read it today? This may be the first step that leads you to write beautiful sonnets that you can share with others and immortalize your name in history, just as it happened in the case of the great poets of the past.
Dare to investigate this literary style and see that the limits are only in our minds. You can be a sonnet writer!