Choose a sonnet form: Shakespearean, Petrarchan, or another established pattern
Decide on a theme, often love, time, nature, conflict, or reflection
Write in iambic pentameter if following traditional sonnet rules
Plan 14 lines total
Use a rhyme scheme that matches the chosen sonnet form
Build the poem around a clear turn or shift in thought, called the volta
Develop the first part with an idea, image, or situation
Shift perspective, argument, or emotion at the volta
End with a strong concluding couplet or final line
Revise for meter, rhyme, clarity, and impact
Read the sonnet aloud to check rhythm and flow