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Slide Notes
Writing a poem is all about observing the world within or around you. A poem can be about anything, from love to the rusty gate at the old farm. Writing poetry can help you become more eloquent and improve your linguistic style. However, if you're not used to writing poetry, you may be at a loss as to where to start. Although poetry writing is definitely a skill that improves with practice (just like any other type of writing), wikiHow will get you on the right track.
How To Write A Poem
Published on Nov 18, 2015
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
HOW TO WRITE A POEM
IN COLLABORATION WITH WIKIHOW
Writing a poem is all about observing the world within or around you. A poem can be about anything, from love to the rusty gate at the old farm. Writing poetry can help you become more eloquent and improve your linguistic style. However, if you're not used to writing poetry, you may be at a loss as to where to start. Although poetry writing is definitely a skill that improves with practice (just like any other type of writing), wikiHow will get you on the right track.
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FIND A SPARK
Find a spark. A poem might start as a snippet of verse, maybe just a line or two that seems to come out of nowhere, and the remainder of the poem need only be written around it. Here are a few ways to generate sparks.
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PLAY GRAND THEFT POETRY
WRITE DOWN LINES FROM DIFFERENT POEMS
Gather a variety of books of poetry by different authors, or print 10 random poems off from the Internet. Then randomly pick a line out of each poem, trying to focus only on the first line you see instead of picking the "best" one. Write all these different lines down on a separate piece of paper, and try to arrange them into a coherent poem. The juxtaposition of two entirely different lines of poetry might give you an idea for your own poem.
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THINK OF AN IDEA
WRITE DOWN WORDS OR PHRASES THAT COME TO MIND
Write down all the words and phrases that come to mind when you think of that idea. Allow yourself to put all your ideas into words.
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VOICE YOUR FEELINGS
POEMS ARE MADE UP OF EMOTIONS
It may sound difficult, but do not be afraid to voice your exact feelings. Emotions are what make poems, and if you lie about your emotions it can be easily sensed in the poem. Write them down as quickly as possible, and when you're done, go through the list and look for connections or certain items that get your creative juices flowing.
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THINK OF A SCENE
FIND WHERE THE POEM IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE
Try to fit into a particular scene you want to write about. For example, if you want to write about nature, try to visit a park or a small forest nearby. The natural scenery may inspire a few lines, even if they're not perfect.
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READ AND LISTEN TO POETRY
Get inspired by seeking out the work of poets you admire. Explore a wide range of works, from poems that are widely regarded as classics to popular song lyrics. As you interact with more poetry, you'll find your aesthetic becoming more shaped and refined.
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MEET OTHER POETS
ATTEND SOME REAL LIFE OR ONLINE MEETUPS
To train your ear and meet like-minded people, attend poetry readings (check your local college or bookstore's calendar for these, or look for events you can stream online).
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READ SONG LYRICS
THEY'RE BASICALLY POETRY ANYWAY
Find some of your favorite song lyrics and read them like poetry. You might be surprised at how it reads on the page, instead of being spoken or sung aloud.
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PLAN THE POEM
Perhaps you want to write a poem to express your love for your boyfriend or girlfriend; perhaps you want to commemorate a tragic event; or perhaps you just want to get an "A" in your poetry or English class. Think about why you are writing your poem and who your intended audience is, and then proceed in your writing accordingly.
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DECIDE ON YOUR POETRY STYLE
There are a ton of different poetic styles. As a poet, you have a wide variety of set forms to choose from: limericks, sonnets, villanelles, sestinas, haiku ... the list goes on and on.
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FREE VERSE
WHY NOT RIGHT FREELY?
You may also choose to abandon form altogether and write your poem in free verse. While the choice may not always be as obvious as the example above, the best form for the poem will usually manifest itself during the writing process.
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CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORDS
It's been said that if a novel is "words in the best order," then a poem is "the best words in the best order."
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CHOOSE WORDS THAT FIT
WORDS ARE LIKE BUILDING BLOCKS
Think of the words you use as building blocks of different sizes and shapes. Some words will fit together perfectly, and some won't. You want to keep working at your poem until you have built a strong structure of words.
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CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY
ONLY USE CERTAIN WORDS IF NECESSARY
Use only those words that are necessary, and those that enhance the meaning of the poem. Choose your words carefully. The differences between similar sounding words or synonyms can lead to interesting word play.
USE SPREADSHEETS
FIGURE OUT YOUR SYLLABLES
A computer spreadsheet such as OpenOffice.org Calc, is very efficient for rearranging words and checking rhythm through columns' alignment. Put one syllable in each cell. You can transfer the text to a word processor for fancier printing when you're done.
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