In Shakespeare’s Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day, the writer has perfected a comparison of something he loves to another beautiful or enticing object. For this assignment, writers will not only learn the form and meter of a sonnet, but also draw a similar comparison with something they love and/or hate. After reviewing and analyzing the original poem, students will compose their own personal sonnet to imitate, yet not copy, Shakespeare’s idea of bliss or torment. Teachers: click here to read the entire lesson plan.
6-Trait Overview for this Lesson:
The focus trait for this lesson is word choice; the students will develop a sonnet with a focus on incorporating interesting adjectives, verbs, nouns, and more inventive words. They also will have to find words that will rhyme and fit the format of a traditional Shakespearean sonnet. The support trait for this writing assignment is conventions; students will have to correctly punctuate their sonnet in correlation with Shakespeare’s variety of internal and external punctuation. By connecting both traits together, students should better understand the delicacy involved in creating a true Shakespearean sonnet.
