poem writing help

poem writing help

Topic: Enhancing Your Poem Writing Skills

1. Introduction to Poem Writing

The topic selection stage is most crucial in poem writing as it dictates what the poem will achieve through its message and what messages will be conveyed. Often, sentiment is best expressed through messages of drama and conflict, in disgust at the current state of the world, or through tribute to past figures. Poems can also be simple observations of nature or consideration of an abstract idea. Sentence structure comes into play most heavily in a dramatic or narrative setting as it has a chronological order.

In poetry, the sum is almost always greater than the parts. The sentiment of a poem is driven through evoking emotion with the reader. This task is most effectively done by weaving an intricate web of connotations within the words. That when taken apart, the words may be simple, but when placed together, the idea is complex and full of implicit meaning. Sentence structure does play a role in this task, however, a comprehensive understanding of language devices and how they can be integrated to manipulate the meaning of the words is essential to the development of a poet.

There are no specific rules to how a poem must be written, allowing creative liberation. This can often make writing poems a daunting task. To add structure to a poem without taking away the freedom would usually involve a thorough understanding of the language and a conscious decision to adhere to traditional grammar and sentence structure. However, with an understanding of poetic principles, a poet can develop a structured framework to which they can apply a colourful array of language devices to enhance and produce the desired sentiment.

2. Understanding Poetic Devices

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds. This is used to create internal rhyming within a line. For example, “a man a cat a bananana.” Assonance can be used to create a melodic, sing-song mood in a poem or to create a dark, somber mood. This depends on the sounds of the vowels used and also the subject of the poem.

Alliteration is the repetition of a beginning sound for effect. For example, “seven sisters slept soundly in sand.” Alliteration can be used to create a pleasant, flowing sound, to create a light-hearted mood, or to create a dramatic, deep mood. Sometimes alliteration can be used to mimic the subject of the poem. For example, the “pitter-patter” of a poem about rain.

Poetic devices are tools that a poet can use to create a certain effect in their writing. These can be used to make a poem more interesting or to stress a point. They are frequently used in verse forms and also when writing free verse poetry. Here are some common poetic devices and how they can be used to enhance your poetry writing.

3. Crafting Engaging Poetic Imagery

Adjectives and adverbs are words used to bring you closer to a direct experience and away from an idea. When using adjectives and adverbs, it is best to try to find one that is fresh and creative. The word “fresh” in the previous sentence is one that has been overused. A fresh adjective or adverb indicates something that is new and vivid, and in doing so, the language you use then becomes powerful and innovative. This creates more impact and greater relevance of the image to what is being perceived or expressed.

Imagery can be interpreted in many ways, allowing the poet to gain personal insight or insight for an audience through specific word choice. This is important when we consider which words and phrases we will use in creating our imagery. Choose words that are effective in conveying what you perceive, feel, think, and what you want your readers to perceive, feel, and think.

As a poet, you may have experienced the compulsion to write with emotional and vivid language. However, being too direct with your emotions can result in work that is over-the-top, melodramatic, or clichéd. Learning to create intriguing and well-crafted poetic imagery is an essential element in the poet’s art. Imagery is the concrete representation of a sense impression, a feeling, or an idea. It is one of the most important tools in developing a poem. An image is a word or series of words that refers to any sensory experience.

4. Developing Poetic Structure and Form

Much has been written and taught on the subject of poetry technique, and it can be somewhat daunting to a beginner. The best way to learn is by practice and gradual implementation of new ideas. The poem which follows is a simple example of how a new poet can employ technique.

The tools at the poet’s disposal are many and varied, and it is here where the concept of ‘poetic techniques’ becomes most relevant. Techniques are methods of using language in a specific way to convey meaning or produce an effect in the reader or listener. The use of technique can enhance or obscure the subject matter, and often very subtle changes can make a great difference to the overall impact of a poem. The knowledge and application of these techniques is what separates the skillful poet from the novice.

With the ground work now laid, the poet sets to work with actually constructing the poem. This can take varying amounts of time depending on the style and proficiency of the poet. It is not unusual for a poet to ‘write and rewrite’ the same poem over an extended period. As the poet works through his task, it is inevitable that changes will need to be made and ideas reworked.

Now comes the task of selecting words and phrases which will best convey the poet’s intention. This is a vital part of the form building process, as the poem will be constructed with these chosen building materials. These words will need to be arranged in such a manner as to produce a coherent progression of thoughts or expression. This is often where a poet will develop a framework to guide the flow of the words. This can involve anything from jotting down a few key points, to creation of a full scale plan or diagram.

The building of a poem’s structure and form begins with the framing of a central idea, or a subject to write about. This basic element serves as the seed which the rest of the form will grow from. An idea that is too complex may be difficult to encapsulate in a poem, so in such a case it is often best to focus on a particular aspect or part of the idea.

Structure and form has long been a fixation of the analytical mind, and it is no surprise that the same holds true for the compositional mind. So many poetic forms and structures have been developed by various cultures throughout the world, that to list and describe them all would require a full volume of information. Generally though, poetic form can be said to follow a certain defined structure, that can range from stanzaic or lyrical, to more elaborate forms involving meter and rhyme. Schemes of alliteration and assonance are often used to create musical effects within the language.

5. Polishing and Revising Your Poem

Replace the summary words ‘be’, ‘have’, and ‘has’ with more accurate action verbs. Generally, this improves the quality of your poem. Also, be stingy with adjectives and adverbs. Seek vivid verbs and modify them with precise adverbs and adjectives. Too many modifiers weaken the actual meaning of the noun or verb. By using concrete and specific words, your readers will comprehend exactly what you are trying to convey, and it is almost always these specific details that evoke emotion. A poem is made to be re-read, and revision is an ongoing process. Remember, nothing is ever finished.

A poem is never written only once. When you finish your initial draft, leave it for a day or two. Then work with a fresh mind to find the true essence of the poem and bring it to life. It is useful to ask yourself several questions to aid your revising and polishing process: Did you clearly and vividly tell the story of your poem? Did you make your main point or theme clear at the beginning so that your reader knows what to look for? If you raised a question in the reader’s mind, did you answer it? Did you select words for their meaning and avoid vague words, focusing on specific ones? Did you use concrete, specific images to express abstract ideas?