Poetry is one of the most interesting and complex forms of writing. You are able to convey so many things in one singular poem: Thoughts, feelings, opinions. By using the right words and phrasing them the right way, you are able to create a masterpiece that can move people to tears. However, there are actually many to consider when creating a poem. So, how does one create a good poem?
Planning
Whether you are writing about a problem that has been plaguing you for a long time, or you are writing about your recent misfortunes, planning your poem is always a good step to take. There are a few important things you should consider when planning your poem.
Topic
When planning your poem, you should always have a topic in mind. It can be anything! From the loss of your beloved pet companion, or a little crush on a schoolmate, you can write anything as long as you plan out what you want to write. A suggestion would be to write down all of the thoughts and feelings you have about a topic, be it on a spare piece of paper or your phone, so that you can have some ideas you can refer to while planning and writing.
Structure
Structure is an important thing to think about when planning your poem. Do you want to write a sonnet, or a haiku? Rhymed poetry or lyrical poetry? Or perhaps you like the freedom that free verse poetry gives? You should think about how your poem would be structured when you start writing it. This is so that your poem will be able to flow smoothly.
Rhythm
Did you know that poems, or just poetry in general, was not actually made to be written? In fact, they were actually made to be spoken out loud. While not all poems need to follow lyrical rhythm, it is still good to consider how your poem will sound being spoken out loud. An example is meter, which is how certain syllables from words in a poem will be stressed and enunciated. Here is an example of a poem recitation:
Writing
When you start writing your poem, there are a lot of literary tools you can use to really make your poem shine. For example, figurative language. It is very common to find this in poetry, and it is very effective to convey complex thoughts and feelings. Here is an infographic explaining all the different types of figurative language.
There are no specific ways to write a poem, but there are some common ways a poem can be written. For example, “Setting the Scene” (Telling a story like a regular prose) or “Starting with Conflict” (Start off the poem with the issue immediately. There are so many different ways to write a poem, so write however you see fit!
Editing
Even after you finish your poem, your job is not done yet! You still have to go back to your poem, read through it again, and correct any mistakes you may have made or add any changes you deem fit. For example, does your metaphors make sense, or does it make your poem seem confusing? Is your poem too abstract? You may not see these minor issues in your poem while you are in the process of writing it, so do be sure to check through your poem!
By following these tips, you will definitely be on the right track to create a great poem. Remember, you should enjoy the process of writing poems, so do not be too upset if you feel like your writing is not up to par. The most important thing is to have fun while writing and be proud of your creation, so you do not have to be so worried. Happy writing!