The Pen and Inkpot

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 jus...