Literary Terms

Sonnet: Definition and Examples

Published January 25, 2026 · 4 views

Sonnet is an important term in literary studies. This page gives a clear definition, an example and tips on how to use it in essays.

Definition

A fourteen-line poem with a fixed rhyme scheme.

Example

Shakespeare's sonnets

How to Write About Sonnet

  • Identify where sonnet appears in the text.
  • Quote the exact words.
  • Explain the effect on the reader and link it to the writer's purpose.

See also: Literary Devices: Metaphor, Simile, Irony and More.