I have an assignment where it says to write a sonnet with 14 lines but they also say to have 14 syllables per line. I thought it was 10 syllables per line. Can anyone help ?

Yes, you're right -- it should be 10 syllables per line -- preferably in iambic pentameter.

http://iambicpentameter.net/

Yes, I can help explain this to you. A sonnet is a poetic form consisting of 14 lines. However, the syllable count per line can vary depending on the specific form of a sonnet.

There are different types of sonnets, such as the Shakespearean sonnet and the Petrarchan sonnet. In the Shakespearean sonnet, each line typically contains 10 syllables, following a pattern known as iambic pentameter. This means that each line is composed of five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables.

On the other hand, the Petrarchan sonnet often follows a different pattern. In this form, the sonnet is divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The octave usually follows the rhyme scheme ABBAABBA, while the sestet can have various rhyme schemes such as CDCDCD or CDECDE.

When your assignment states that the sonnet should have 14 syllables per line, it is likely referring to the Petrarchan form, where the lines can indeed have 14 syllables. However, it's important to clarify whether your assignment specifies a particular sonnet form, as there are different variations.

To meet the assignment requirements, you can either write a Petrarchan sonnet with 14 syllables per line or confirm with your teacher if they meant to ask for a specific form like the Shakespearean sonnet with 10 syllables per line.