Writing Composition: Creative Writing - Poetry Edition

Contributed by:
Ivan
Do you want to learn how to write poetry or improve as a poet? Would you like step-by-step advice on how to get poetry ideas and turn them into poems?

You're in the right place! Find answers to these questions:

"What should I write poems about?"
"How should I decide the right form for my poem?"
"What are common mistakes that new poets make, and how can I avoid them?"
"How do I write free verse/blank verse/sonnets/haikus etc.?"
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CREATIVE WRITING
(Poetry Edition)
By Jonathan Rowland
2. TABLE OF
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11 tips to writing poetry or improving your skill
Poetry writing exercise

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3.
Writing poems can be an super exciting and actually set
your mind free and can be a great undertaking from writers
of all ages and experience levels. Poetry can offer writers
many ways to play with form and convention while
producing emotionally sound work.
Because you are interested in trying your hand at writing
poetry or are looking to improve your skill, here are some
tips to help you get going:
4. Read the work of a variety of poets. The simplest way to improve your
poetry is to read poems. You may be familiar with great poets like William
Wordsworth, Walt Whitman, and Emily Dickinson but less familiar with
contemporary poets and new poems. Part of becoming a better poet is
constantly finding new poetry collections and reading contemporary literary
magazines to expose yourself to new voices. There’s no harm in revisiting
your favourite poems by great poets in an old poetry book, but part of
becoming a better writer is finding new literary journals and expanding your
poetry reading to include young poets and diverse voices.
Experiment with a different poetic form. There are many different types
of poetry available to you. Even if there is a specific type of poem that you
consider your bread and butter, it’s worth experimenting with different poetry
forms. Try writing a short poem like a haiku. Write a longer narrative poem
in free verse. Write a few quick nursery rhymes. Playing with form can help
you build your poetry writing skills and find new types of poetry that fit your
Play with rhyme. As kids, our first exposure to poetry is through simple
rhyme schemes, and oftentimes we write our first poems with the aid of a
handy rhyming dictionary. Obviously, there is much more to poetry than
rhyming, and rethinking how you incorporate and structure rhyme scheme
can help vary your poetry.
Experiment with meter. Meter describes the pattern of stressed and
unstressed syllables from line to line in a poem. Experimenting with different
types of meter in your poetry can add layers to your work and help make
your poetry rhythmically interesting. Try writing poems in iambic
pentameter—as Shakespeare did—or throw in a rhyming couplet or two to
break up passages of blank verse.
Keep a journal. Poetry is a powerful medium when it comes to using lyrical
language and expressing poignant imagery. Keeping a journal can help you
catalog particularly striking images and thoughts as they occur to you
throughout your day. Free moments can give you a chance to brainstorm
and jot down your thoughts in your poetry journal.
Explore new poetic devices. One of the exciting aspects of poetry is the
many literary devices and poetic techniques at your disposal. Playing with
5. alliteration or assonance can bring a variety of sounds to your work.
Exploring extended metaphors and working in synecdoche
or metonymy can bring layers of meaning to your work. Research various
poetic devices and try incorporating new techniques into your poetry.
Simplify word choice. As a first-time poet, it can feel as if you have to use
exclusively abstract words and flowery language in order to write complex
verse and convey deeper meaning. The fact of the matter is that sometimes
the simplest language combined with clear, concrete images can make for a
good poem. Some of the best American poets use concrete words and
simple language in order to construct poignant and affecting poetry. There’s
no need to rely on a thesaurus to find the right words for your poems. If you
find yourself overwriting, scale back your language and focus on clear and
concise verse.
Edit. As with other forms of writing, good poetry is often found in the edit.
Once you've finished a draft of a poem, give yourself some time before
giving it a second pass and beginning the rewriting process.
Remember, there are no rules. There are no set rules in poetry. Give
yourself the freedom to explore your craft and play with meaning and form.
Don't hold yourself back or worry about the final product. Some of your best
work will come when you feel unconstrained and free to play.
Start a writing group. Starting a writing group with other poets can help
you commit to the hard work of writing and establish a consistent writing
practice. A poetry writing class or group can help keep you accountable and
help you break through writer’s block. Writing groups are a great resource
for meeting other poets who can help connect you with publishing industry
contacts and literary agents.

Explore other types of creative writing. Writing poems doesn’t prevent
you from exploring other forms of writing. Supplement your poetry writing
with nonfiction essays and short stories in your free time. This will help your
writing stay fresh and active and can also be a great way of adding
additional writing income.
Source: htips:/Wwww masterclass, com/artcles/tips-for-wrting-better-poetry#t1-tips-for-writing-poetry
6. Here is a quick exercise that is good to create your first piece to poetry
POETRY WRITING
Close your eyes and think of someone. They may be
close to you or not. Try to have a vivid picture in your
mind of who that person is — what they are like and what
they wear and do. Then follow these guidelines:
Note: You must listen — just try your best and don't worry about
Line 1: Write the person’s name or what you call
Line 2: One word to describe what they are doing
Line 3: Where they are
Leave a line
Line 4/5/6: On each line one adjective to describe
this person
Leave a line
Line 7: The specific colour that you see in you
picture or link to this person
Line 8: A sound that you hear in this image or that
you link to this person
Line 9: A feeling that you associate with this person
Leave a line
7. Line 10: Write the words “and |”
Line 11: Describe what you are doing in this picture
Leave a line
Line 12: Describe your feelings for this person
Leave a line
Line 13: Repeat line 1
Line 14: This person’s relationship to you
Now you will need to use your lesson time to refer to
thesauruses / polish off or edit your work independently
or in pairs
Your aim should be that you complete your own poem in
best —
Think about your lesson target:
Look at words that you can change or improve.
Use a thesaurus to help you.
Check your spellings.
What lines could you edit or rearrange?
Are their images that you could add in that would
enhance your poem?
Source: https:/www.tes.com/teaching-resource/speed-writing-poetry-interactive-creative-lesson-6027317