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Sonnet

Definition

A sonnet is a 14-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme and often explores themes of love, beauty, or nature.

Analogy

Think of a sonnet as a musical composition with 14 carefully crafted notes. Each note represents a line that contributes to creating an emotional melody within the poem.

Related terms

Petrarchan Sonnet: A type of sonnet named after Italian poet Francesco Petrarch, characterized by an octave (eight lines) followed by a sestet (six lines).

Shakespearean Sonnet: Also known as an English sonnet, it consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) followed by a final couplet.

Volta: The turning point or shift in tone that often occurs between different sections or at line nine in traditional sonnets.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.