In this article, I will be explaining what poetry is, the key elements of a poem, how to find inspiration, and how to edit your poetry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is Poetry? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When you think about poetry, your mind may go back to English lessons at school, and memorising and interpreting poems by the likes of Shakespeare, Coleridge, and Emily Dickinson. While those poets are rightfully revered, there is so much more to poetry<\/a> than just the classics. There truly is a poem for everyone. And it\u2019s wonderful to see that, with the rise of intersectional feminism, poets by women of colour such as Amanda Gorman and Rupi Kaur (as well as their predecessors Maya Angelou, bell hooks, Toni Morrison) are being recognised for their talent and hard work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Poetry is varied not just in terms of who writes it, but also in terms of form. For those who prefer to process things auditorily rather than visually, there\u2019s spoken word poetry (try Button Poetry<\/a> if you\u2019re interested). For children, there are nursery rhymes and acrostics. And many modern poets post their poems on social media<\/a> so that you can enjoy their wonderful words while you\u2019re scrolling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The definition of poetry has expanded greatly in recent years, but essentially, it is distilled language that intends to resonate with the reader. The effect poetry produces varies greatly and is largely determined by the poet\u2019s intent. Whether you want to make your reader cry, laugh, or want to go on a hike, the limit of the form\u2019s length means that every word counts. And every line should be working towards that goal of making the reader feel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are multiple components to a poem, and each of them has its own value. Individual poets often have a signature style, which tends to be based around the poetic element which they focus on and excel at. Before you start writing a poem, you need to know more about how they are shaped. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The voice of a poem is arguably one of the most important parts. It carries much of the tone and emotion which helps the reader connect to the poem. The speaker in poetry is often somewhat vague, which enables the reader to empathise with them more. A popular, compelling way in which voice is utilised is through the poetic I (frequently using the word ‘I’ to frame the speaker\u2019s feelings and experiences). It also affects the timbre of the poem when it is read aloud as the voice of a poem carries certain emotions, which determine how we vocalise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The form of a poem often indicates much of its structure and rhyme scheme. As it determines the shape of a poem, it is another vital component. Form includes the type of poem <\/a>(villanelle, haiku, free verse), its overall length, line breaks, the number of stanzas, and the length of the stanzas. Some poets like to start off with a very strict idea of the form they would like their poem to take, some just start writing and see what happens, while others will add elements of form when they edit<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rhythm is one of the ways in which poetry stands out from other writing<\/a> forms. While, of course, almost all writing has some element of rhythm, in poetry it is the centre from which the voice, form, content etc stem, and it influences how they are expressed. It\u2019s also linked to structure, as long poems with long lines tend to be more fluid than short poems with short stanzas and lines which often have an urgency to them. Rhythm involves pace and can be altered by things like syllable count and alliteration. Enjambment can be used skillfully to disrupt the rhythm and bring the reader\u2019s attention to a specific line. Caesura and line breaks work similarly, and these sections can be further developed when paired with an interesting rhyme scheme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Contrary to popular belief, poems do not<\/em> have to rhyme. Whether a poem utilises full rhyme, half-rhyme, or no rhyme at all, rhyme usually influences how the poem is perceived and helps create its overall message. The rhyme scheme can be very regular throughout the entire poem (e.g. four stanzas with a common ABCB rhyming pattern), or entirely inconsistent, with a rhyming couplet placed at the end to act as the poem\u2019s memorable thesis statement. Assonance and consonance can also be used to create more subtle rhymes, as can homophones because they don’t visually appear to rhyme. Iambic pentameter (favoured by Shakespeare) is a frequently used rhyme scheme, which is linked to form, as it\u2019s often used in sonnets. It also relies on meter to create strong sounds and emphasis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Meter refers to the pattern of stressed syllables and the number of syllables in a line, stanza, or poem. It\u2019s more frequent, and notable, in traditional poetry, and highlights a poem\u2019s rhyme, rhythm, and structure. Often, if you\u2019re writing a poem and find that a section sounds off, it\u2019s because you\u2019ve been using meter in a regular pattern- intentionally or not- and then diverged from that pattern.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poetry is often rife with literary devices. Many poems are focused on clear images, and literary devices are often used to describe them. Motifs and symbolism are some of the broader ones used, and lyrical language, irony, metaphors<\/a>, and similes are used to describe specific details. Choosing a literary device<\/a> that interests you and trying to write an example of one can be a great way to start a poem or revitalise one you\u2019ve already begun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the unique things about writing poetry is that there is no set starting point. Want to start with the last stanza? Fab! Want to shape your poem around an interesting title? Great! Want to have a freewriting session that produces a long meandering poem? Go for it! You can always edit later. Ultimately, when it comes to writing a poem, you can start wherever you want to. For some, this can be freeing. If it leaves you more daunted than excited, then one way to start is by using one of our poetry prompts<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also important to consider why you want to write poetry. If you want to take 5 minutes to write a poem because it\u2019s a quick, accessible form of creative expression, then experiment with a few methods and just enjoy yourself. Don\u2019t worry about finishing poems either (many writers never feel as though their work is finished; you could edit your writing in perpetuity). If you want to write a poem to the best of your ability, then you\u2019ll approach things differently and spend more time on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only can you start a poem wherever you like, but you can also decide how long you want it to be, what style you want to emulate (lyrical, free verse, stream of consciousness, prose poetry), and how it\u2019s structured. Poetry can be very personal, so if it reassures you, know that your poetry can be written just for you. No one else has to read it. Poetry can be a great outlet, and a poem\u2019s value is about so much more than how many people have read it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Reading poetry out loud (to yourself or to others) is incredibly helpful, too. Rhythm is a key element of poetry, and it can be better emphasised and understood when we hear it compared to when we read it. Processing your work in a different way can give you ideas about what to write in a new stanza or help you to edit a section of an existing part of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to writing a poem, a good place to start is with the structure. Decide whether you want to write a poem with a strict form (a villanelle that has a predetermined rhyme scheme and length) or whether you want to start with a free writing session that results in a poem written in free verse. It really helps to know what kind of writer you are. Do you find restrictions helpful, because they focus your ideas and give you clear boundaries? Or do you find them confining, and feel that more freedom enables you to think more creatively? Regardless of your answer, knowing the extent to which form and structure can help you provides you with a rough idea of what your poem will look like, which means you can then start to focus in a little more on the specifics. You could even start with a great title<\/a> which you came up with (finding a strong title is often very difficult, so if this is the case, congrats!) and build the poem from there.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In poetry, as with all kinds of writing, the main content and message are key. Therefore, starting with the content of your poem can be helpful. Often, if you\u2019re eager to write a poem it\u2019s because you have a topic in mind. Maybe you want to write an ode to a loved one, process and express your feelings, or write about a current topic\/event. If you already have a topic in mind, just start writing! You can always edit it later, and at least you\u2019ve got something to work from. If you have no idea what you want to write about, fear not! You could do a short timed free write, and just see what comes up. If any lines or phrases stand out to you, use them as a starting point. Alternatively, you could use one of our poetry prompts<\/a> to help you get started. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Key Elements Of A Poem <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Voice <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Form <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rhythm <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rhyme <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Meter <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Literary Devices <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow To Start Writing Poetry <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Start With Structure <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Start With Your Content <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Seek Inspiration <\/h2>\n\n\n\n