How to Write Poetry
The ‘free verse’ style of poetry is the most popular among current writers. Walt Whitman is credited with originating the form in the late 19th century. Poetry was restricted to certain forms and rhyming schemes before that time.
Patterns are common to formal poetry. Scansion is the analyzing of rhyme and meter. A letter is commonly places at the end of each line beginning with the first letter of the alphabet A for the first rhyme, and B for the second, etc.
Using letter to signify the rhymes is a great way to determine the pattern. If line one and two rhyme, an A would be placed beside them. If line three and four rhyme with each other but not one and two, we would place B’s beside them. The pattern would be AABB. If line 5 rhymes with either, an A or B would be used. If it does not phyme, we would use a C.
Next, we are concerned with meter. Each line contains a set number of beats, usually two or three syllables. The most common beat is ‘Iambic pentameter’. The individual beats consist of a short and a strong pulse. This beat is present in words such as ‘arrest, domain, forsooth’. The accent is on the second syllable.
OK, enough rules and on to the fun stuff. What do you start with when you tell stories or write letters? Do you begin with something you overheard? Witnessed? Read About? Start with what you are comfortable with, that’s the best way to start.
Think of what type of poem you had in mind. Will it be a story, a comment, a character study? It is best to skim through some examples to get you started off. It is also important to take breaks like going for a walk or to bed. When you come back, jot things down. It does not have to be orderly.
It may take many weeks or months to get your poem finished. If your having trouble, take a break. When you come back, carry on from the last line in your poem. You will be delighted at what comes out.
Check out dashboardarticles for many articles on creating poetry
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