ENG 1141: Introduction to Creative Writing

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February 17, 2021

How to Write a Sestina, Part 1: Explanation and Examples

The sestina is a traditional poetic form popularized by the likes of Dante Aleghiri, but one that rose to popularity among contemporary poets such as Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell.

Pattern: the sestina has six stanzas of six lines each, and a final stanza of three lines. (39 lines in total). The final stanza is called the envoi.

The repeated word at the end of each line is called a teleuton.

Here is a definition from the Academy of American poets: Sestina

This exploration of the sestina from Classical Poets website offers a clear description and common uses of the form. The description  shows how the “spirals” in on itself

How to Write a Sestina (with Examples and Diagrams)

Article by Jennifer Sears / Lecture Notes, Poetry

Professor Jennifer Sears-Pigliucci

Email: jsears@citytech.cuny.edu
OpenLab Portfolio: Professor Jennifer Sears 
https://www.citytech.cuny.edu/faculty/JSears

Note on Materials

The materials on this page are readings and lecture materials for Professor Sears’ ENG 1141 course. If you are my student, see the links on our specific class site for assignments. You will not be expected to read everything listed here, but feel free to scroll around and get inspired!

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The OpenLab at City Tech:A place to learn, work, and share

The OpenLab is an open-source, digital platform designed to support teaching and learning at City Tech (New York City College of Technology), and to promote student and faculty engagement in the intellectual and social life of the college community.

New York City College of Technology City University of New York

New York City College of Technology | City University of New York

Support

Help | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Credits

Accessibility

Our goal is to make the OpenLab accessible for all users.

Learn more about accessibility on the OpenLab

Copyright

Creative Commons

  • - Attribution
  • - NonCommercial
  • - ShareAlike
Creative Commons

© New York City College of Technology | City University of New York