Use ten syllables per line
Arrange the line in five pairs of beats
Make each pair follow unstressed then stressed rhythm
Read the line aloud to check the beat
Choose words that naturally fit the pattern
Place strong stresses on the even syllables
Keep the rhythm steady but not mechanical
Vary sentence structure while preserving the meter
Use contractions when needed to fit the count
Replace awkward words with simpler ones
Practice with short lines before longer passages
Revise each line until the rhythm sounds natural