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How to Do the Iambic Pentameter

Iambic pentameter is a classic form of poetry, dating back to the 15th century when it first appeared in Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales." Shakespeare would later write his renowned sonnets and plays in iambic pentameter. At the mention of such names, iambic pentameter may seem too daunting to write. However, it can be mastered with some practice and understanding of the form.

Things You'll Need

Pen
Paper

Instructions

- 1
  Understand the meaning of iambic pentameter. An iamb is a type of foot or rhythmic unit. Each foot in iambic pentameter has two syllables, the first one stressed and second one unstressed (such as instead, up front, stand still, etc.). The English language fits naturally with iambic pentameter, as stressing one syllable over the other comes naturally. The "pent" in pentameter means "five," so every line in iambic pentameter has five iambs or feet.
- 2
  Set a rhyming scheme for your poem. A popular scheme is the ABAB scheme, where the first and third lines rhyme, as well as the second and fourth lines. A good way to get a feel of this is to read works written in iambic pentameter. Shakespeare's 18th sonnet is a good example.
- 3
  Draw five blank lines on a piece of paper. Write a foot in every blank, so that you have five feet on this line. Repeat the process until your poem is finished. Be careful to stay to your rhyming scheme.

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