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Poetry: Everyone Should Try It

Misconceptions about poetry abound, among them the belief that the practice of writing poetry is reserved for only literary geniuses or masters of the English language. That’s completely untrue: As long as you have paper and a pen (or a computer with a word processor) and your mind, you can write poetry.

typing on a typewriter

Show Off Your Imagination

Of course, the goal is not to write just anything; you want the products of your imagination to be expressed well. In the words of Nikki Grimes, an award-winning contemporary children’s author, “A good poem is a blind date with enchantment.” What is the key to unlocking this enchantment? A little knowledge can take you a long way toward finding your place in the world of stanzas, lines, and lyricism.

Girl imagining

Here’s How To Do It

  1. First, immerse yourself in the work of good poets. When you dive headfirst into the fray without listening to the advice of your predecessors, you’re sure to run into trouble. As in any field, we learn how to write poetry from those who have written poetry before us. By reading the work of others, you familiarize yourself with the cadences of language and the different kinds of poetry and styles of writing to try. You might start with masters like William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, John Keats, William Wordsworth and W.B. Yeats
  2. Rhyming in poetry is optional. While many poems do rhyme, just as many don’t. After reading a healthy amount of poetry, you’ll quickly discover that poets have deviated from rhyme schemes for centuries. Consider the sonnets of Shakespeare or Robert Frost’s ambitious blank verse “Directive.” Still, if you’re new to poetry, it might be a good idea to stick to established forms at first so you have a feel for the art before breaking the rules.
  3. Rhythm, unlike rhyming, is a must. Without rhythm, a poem is just prose with line breaks; one thing that separates poetry from prose is its musical quality. This doesn’t mean that you need to religiously adhere to iambic pentameter or some other meter, but it does mean that your poem needs a flow and beat. A good way to check that your writing has rhythm is to read it out loud. Can you hear a cadence in it, or is it stilted?
  4. Value meaning over rhyme. For some themes, the meaning is best conveyed in a rhyming poem, but be careful when writing that you don’t choose a word solely based on its rhyming quality. If a rhyme doesn’t work, don’t force it: Try for a near-rhyme, or rework the line altogether.
  5. It’s easy to find a form that you like, a form in which you write well, and then to settle in it. Experimenting in many poetic forms can help you grow as a writer. Try some different poem types, from traditional to invented forms.
  6. Don’t give up. Writing isn’t easy, and like any skill, refining it requires devotion on your part. Remember that the more you write, the more that you will improve. Poetry is a process, so don’t beat yourself up when discouragement hits. Have a seat, take up your pen or computer, and keep writing.
Man blowing letters out of an open book

More Resources on Writing Poetry

Poetry Writing Hacks: 10 Tips on How to Write a Poem: Consult Writer’s Digest to learn five methods for finding poetic inspiration.

Seven Ingredients You Need to Consider When Writing Poetry: Before you start writing a poem, think about the message, form, point of view, voice, rhyme scheme, and rhythm you want.

The Eight Signs You’ve Written a Good Poem: You’ve spent hours, maybe even days, crafting your masterpiece. The question is, is it any good? The Writer’s Relief staff points to eight indications of poem quality here.

Ten Poems I Love to Teach: Dive into the ten poems that this English professor likes to use when introducing students to the richness of poetry to help expose yourself to the range that the art offers.

Ten Tips on How to Write a Poem: Originally the work of a student, this short list advises writers on creating poems that connect with the reader, not just capture feelings. Tips include avoiding cliches and using metaphors and similes.

15 Divine Devices to Drastically Improve Your Writing: This article speaks more to prose writers than poets, but the devices are still useful for poetry.

How to Improve Your Poetry Skills: Eight pieces of advice propose ways to advance as a poet.

Journaling and Poetry: Learn how journaling can help you find your poetic style.

Poetic Devices: This thorough guide draws your attention to the sound, meaning, and arrangement of words and how to consciously use words to achieve the right effect.

Rhyme Schemes: Learn about common rhyme schemes and why writers use them in this article.

RhymeZone: If you want your poem to rhyme, RhymeZone is a great resource to find the right words for your lines.

The Time Is Now: Writing Prompts: Not sure what to write? Every Tuesday, Poets & Writers posts a poetry writing prompt to help the juices flow.

Top Tips for Being a Successful Poet: Who’s better to ask for help than a poet laureate? Sir Andrew Motion shares ten lessons on writing poetry that he has gathered from a lifetime of experience.

Why You Should Use Symbolism in Your Writing: While this blog post applies to story writing, symbolism applies just as much to poetry. The writer describes the three types of symbols and how to use them well.

Girl writing glowing letters