Here's a breakdown:
* 14 lines: This is the defining feature of a sonnet.
* Iambic pentameter: This refers to the rhythm of the lines. An iamb is a metrical foot consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (like "a-BOVE"). Pentameter means there are five iambs in each line (10 syllables total).
There are two main types of sonnets:
* Shakespearean sonnet: This type follows a specific rhyme scheme (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) and has a volta (a shift in thought or tone) typically occurring in the last two lines.
* Petrarchan sonnet: This type has a different rhyme scheme (ABBAABBA CDECDE or ABBAABBA CDCDCD) and a volta occurring in the ninth line.
So, a sonnet is a 14-line poem with a specific rhythmic pattern and structure.