Sonnet - What is it?

This lesson plan is a must for all students who are studying Shakespeare and are trying to get to grips with the sonnet structure.

This is perfect for students studying at Key Stages 3 or 4.

This is an interactive and fun session making the structure of the sonnet less intimidating. The session helps student’s understand Shakespeare’s writing by applying his sonnet structure to their own sonnets.

There are additional foot notes for teachers on: meter; iambic measure, the iambic pentameter and the structure of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18.

The lesson comprises of 12 slides divided into the following sections:

What is a sonnet?
Revise figurative language techniques
Compile a list of your “Top Ten” techniques
Structure of a sonnet
Revise meter
Revise iambic measure
Iambic pentameter
What’s Your Problem?
Explore Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18
Write your own sonnet
Plenary: Devise three more problems