Analyzing and Interpreting Literature / Unit 8 AIL 0739 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Trap: The Almost-Sonnet
Captions available
The idea
Twelve lines and sixteen lines both feel sonnet-like and neither is a sonnet. McKay's eighteen lines are the same trap. Count, and let the count decide against the impression. Line count is the one measurement that admits no argument.
In practice
Count, and trust the count.
Where people slip
Sonnet-like is not a form.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it