Q&A for How to Write a Sestina

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Should the lines be long or short?

Community Answer

There are no length requirements. Just try to keep the lines close to the same length, and use line breaks to your advantage.

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Question

Can I write a sestina about any topic?

Community Answer

Yes, poetry can be about anything!

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Question

Does it have to rhyme?

Community Answer

A sestina should not rhyme. You'll need to select 6 words which should not rhyme. However, you can internally make a rhyme in a sentence. That is fine and acceptable.

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Question

What is a "broken sestina"?

Community Answer

Any sestina in which the pattern is broken somehow. The end words may not be put in the correct lines, or may sometimes be omitted, or may be put in the middle of the line instead of the end - anything that breaks the rules. A pentina may also incorrectly be called a broken sestina.

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Question

Where did this form of poetry come from?

MichelleF2

Community Answer

The first sestinas are attributed to Arnaut Daniel, who wrote in the Occitan language in the 12th century.

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Question

What meter does a sestina have to follow?

Anand Raj

Community Answer

A sestina does not have to follow a specific meter, but it often adheres to a formal poetic structure. The defining characteristic of a sestina is its intricate pattern of word repetition rather than a specific meter. A sestina consists of six stanzas, each with six lines, followed by a three-line envoi or tornada. The end words of the first stanza's lines are repeated in a specific order in the subsequent stanzas: ABCDEF FAEBDC CFDABE ECBFAD DEACFB BDFECA. The envoi typically includes all six of these end words, often placed in the middle and at the end of the lines. While a sestina can be written in any meter, many poets choose iambic pentameter because it provides a familiar and rhythmic structure that can complement the complex pattern of word repetition. However, the choice of meter can vary based on the poet's preference and the poem's thematic needs.

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Can the rhyme scheme of a poem be ABA?

Kael Olson

Community Answer

Yes, a poem can use an ABA rhyme scheme as it is a form of artistic expression.

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Question

Is it necessary to use iambic pentameter when I write a sestina?

Humyra's English Studio

Community Answer

You don't need iambic pentameter for a sestina. The form has no set rhyme or meter, so the lines can vary in length and stress. However, some poets use iambic pentameter or other meters in their sestinas to make them more rhythmic and melodic. For example, Algernon Charles Swinburne's sestina "The Complaint of Lisa" uses iambic pentameter lines.

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