Tips on Writing Poetry

I always think of poetry as a very broad term and the writer can seem to get away with writing whatever they like in whatever structure they like these days. The only problem with that is now we don't know how to start writing a poem when there are so many styles to write in. In this post I will give you a few tips on how to write poetry that is unique and sounds good when spoken aloud. 

Iambic Pentameter

If you have read any of Shakespeare's works, you may have picked up his use of iambic pentameter. In simple terms, iambic pentameter is stressing certain syllables in a line of poetry. There are five sets of two syllables and in each set of two syllables there is usually one strong and one weak beat. 

For example:

I soar / a-cross / the sky / a-bove

In this example, the bold syllable is stressed more and throughout the line, the stressed syllable alternates with a weaker syllable. You don't have to follow iambic pentameter exactly (I don't), I just find it useful to keep in mind and it greatly improves the quality of your poem especially if you intend to perform it aloud. 

Similes / Metaphors

Similes are sentences which link two unlike things using the words "like" or "as".

For example: "As innocent as an angel" or "Bright like the sun"

Metaphors are sentences which link two unlike things by saying that they are the same. 

For example: "She was a star" or "This room is a pigsty"

"Life is like a box of chocolates" is a simile

"Life is a box of chocolates" is a metaphor

Using sentences like this in your poem will add symbolism and depth to your descriptions instead of just using adjectives.

Character Voice

In your poem, who is speaking? It could be a narrator observing from outside the scenario or someone recounting a personal story. No matter who is speaking, think about who they are and why they are speaking. How do they speak? After you have thought about this, your poem will have more meaning and depth than just the words, there are characters too. 

Rhyme

This seems obvious, but lots of poems don't rhyme and sometimes it can be very difficult to make your poem rhyme. Personally, I prefer poems that rhyme, but yours does not have to. If you do want to make your poem rhyme, I would recommend using a website like rhymezone.com to find words that do and don't rhyme. Another thing to think about: do you want every second line to rhyme, every pair of lines or whole verses to rhyme? It's up to you!

Good luck writing your poetry and I hope that some of these things were useful for you. I am by no means an expert in poetry but I do enjoy reading and writing it and thought I could lend a hand to someone out there on the internet!

Thanks for reading this post!

~Inkpot Blogger