A Detailed Guide on How to Write a Poem Step by Step

What is a Poem?

Poems are a wonderful way to express your deepest thoughts and feelings imaginatively. The best poems capture the reader's interest with their vivid imagery. 

Poems literary tools such as meter, metaphor, and rhyme to make them memorable for years to come.

What is The Purpose of A Poem?

The main purpose of a poem is to:

• Convey an idea or emotion in a beautiful language.
  
• Paint what the author feels.
  
• Engage readers with powerful words.

Poems can be written in verse using either complete or incomplete sentences. Not all poems necessarily have to rhyme. 

Aristotle suggested that there are three genres of poetry: comedy, tragedy, and epic. 

According to Aristotle: 

• Comedy aims to imitate what is inferior in a way that produces laughter. 
  
• Tragedy makes people suffer but wants more by portraying it with certain effects. 
  
• Epics tell stories while using an epic form (which he says has only slight variations from tragedies).
  

Moreover, the poem is a form of art and gives us the chance to view life from different perspectives and see things in new ways.

Elements of a Poem

Let’s briefly discuss the elements of poems one step at a time.

Lines and Stanzas

Lines are the basic units of a poem. They consist of a sequence of words arranged on a line and are often grouped into stanzas. Lines are also called verses. 

For Example: 

On the other hand, stanzas are groups of lines in a poem, similar to paragraphs in prose. They provide a structural framework for the poem.

For Example:

Rhyme

In a poem, rhyme is the repetition of similar sounds, which usually come at the end of words in two or more lines. Rhyme adds a musical quality to the language used and creates a sense of harmony in poetry.

For Example

In the above example, “high” rhymes with “sky” and “bright” rhymes with “sight”, creating a rhyme between these words. Remember that rhyming words don't have to be identical, they just need to sound similar.

Rhythm

Rhythm and rhyme in poetry are quite alike, but not the same. Rhythm refers to the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables within the lines. It creates a feeling of musicality and flow in the poem.

The rhythmic flow or structure of a poem is also called Meter. Specifically, the meter corresponds to the number of syllables in each line. And the stressed and unstressed syllables as well. 

For Example,

In the above example, the stressed syllables are represented by “DUM” and the unstressed syllables by “da”. This creates a unique rhythmic structure, enchanting the overall appeal of 
the poem. 

Imagery 

In poetry, poets incorporate the use of vivid and descriptive language to create imaginary situations in the reader’s mind. Poetical imagery sparks emotions, enhances experience, and paints a rich picture of the subject.

For Example:

In the above example, the poet has used vivid language to draw images in the reader’s mind. The “crimson sun” and “velvet sky” push the readers to imagine scenic images in their thoughts.

Whereas, “scent of blooming flowers” appeals to the sense of smell. The “gentle breeze” and “whispering through the willow” bring a sense of touch and hearing, respectively. 

Now, let’s take a look at the different types of poems.

Types of Poem

Poetry is a special form of writing and can be classified into three different types. Each form of poetry can be broken down further into many subdivisions and each consists of rhyme schemes, rhythms, and style.

Let’s discuss them in detail:

1. Lyric

Lyric poetry is often considered the most emotional type because it focuses on feelings and emotions. However, it does not include telling a story, and its subdivisions include elegy, ode, and sonnet.

Lyrical poetry can be further divided into more subdivisions:

Elegy - It is a lyrical poem that expresses sorrow for the death of a loved one. These poems are used to pay tribute to specific subjects, and they’re characterized by the use of mournful language and imagery. 

Ode - A lyrical poem that expresses praise and deep feelings of admiration for a person, object, or concept. It is often characterized by its use of formal language and elevated vocabulary.

Haiku - It is a Japanese poetic form that consists of three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable structure. Although some say that haiku isn’t a lyrical poem, many Western poets continue to treat it that way. 

Sonnet - It is a 14-line poem that expresses personal thoughts and emotions with the use of diverse rhyme schemes. Sonnet has two types: Italian and English. 

2. Narrative

The narrative poem tells a story. It can be an account of the events in ancient times, or it may simply tell about something someone has experienced themselves and wants to share with others.

Narrative poetry can be divided into the following further forms:

Epic - Epic is a long narrative poem that tells about the story and adventures of a prominent person or hero from the past. Epics often use a variety of literary devices to create a sense of adventure and excitement. 

Ballad - Ballad is a song-like poem that typically focuses on folklore, love, or tragic events that happened in the past. 

Limerick - A limerick is a form of narrative poetry that follows a humorous tone. It consists of five lines with a specific rhythm and rhyme scheme (AABBA).

Verse Novel - It is a lengthy narrative poem that combines elements of both prose and poetry. Usually, verse novels tell a story with characters, plots, and use thematic development.

3. Dramatic

This type of poetry is a form of verse meant to be spoken and tell stories. Blank verse is the common dramatic form. Other forms include rhyme verse and closet drama.

Therefore, keep these types in mind and create a well-written poem that impresses the readers.

Dramatic poetry can be divided into the following types:

Blank Verse - This type of poem does not rhyme but follows a precise meter, typically the iambic pentameter. Blank verse poems use unrhymed lines of ten syllables each, with a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. 

Rhyme Verse - In this type of poetry, the lines have end rhymes, meaning that the final words of two or more lines sound similar. 

Soliloquy - In a soliloquy, the character speaks to themselves. They speak their thoughts aloud, revealing their inner feelings to dramatically address the audience. 

Use of Literary Devices in Poems

Literary devices are the tools that the poet uses to spark emotions, shape language, and create vivid imagery. They enhance the overall meaning, and beauty of the poems to make them memorable. 

Here are some common literary devices used in poems: 

Metaphor: 
A metaphor is a figure of speech that is used to compare two, unlike things to highlight the similarities between them. Here, we do not use the words “like” or “as” for comparison. 

Simile: 
In a similar fashion to a metaphor, a simile is used to compare two things while using the words, “like” or “as”. 

Personification: 
Personification is used to give and attribute human qualities to non-human things. 

Symbolism: 
In symbolism, the poet uses a symbol to represent deeper meanings or ideas.

Alliteration:
It is the repetition of initial consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

Assonance:
Assonance is the repetition of the same vowel sounds in words nearby. 

Consonance:
Consonance is the repetition of the same consonant sound within or at the end of words.

How to Write a Poem for Beginners?

If you want to write a poem that stands out in front of the readers, stick to the steps mentioned below:

Choose a Theme

Pick a theme or subject that resonates with you. It could be a personal experience, an emotion, nature, or anything that sparks your creativity.

Decide on Form or Structure

Consider the structure of your poem. You might want to follow a specific form, like a sonnet or haiku, or you can embrace free verse, giving you the freedom to experiment with your own style.

Play with Language

Experiment with words and phrases. Use descriptive language to create vivid images. Don't shy away from metaphors, similes, or other poetic devices to add depth and nuance to your writing.

Focus on Sound

Pay attention to the rhythm and flow of your words. You can experiment with rhyme, alliteration, or other sound devices to give your poem a musical quality. Reading your poem aloud can help you assess its sound.

Use Your Senses

Engage the reader by appealing to their senses. Describe what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. This sensory richness makes your poem more immersive.

Express Emotion

Poetry is a powerful medium for expressing emotions. Let your feelings guide your words. Infuse your poem with the emotional tone you want to convey, whether it's joy, sadness, love, or any other emotion.

Revise and Enjoy

Take time to revise your initial draft. Pay attention to word choice, flow, and overall impact. Seek feedback from others and use it to refine your work. Most of all, enjoy the process of creating and finding your unique poetic voice.

How to Write a Short Poem?

A short poem can be even more difficult to write than a longer one. You have fewer words and less space in which you deliver your message to the reader.

For your help, we gathered some rules that help you in your writing phase.

• Taking notes in a journal is an excellent way to document your thoughts
  
• Brainstorm words and phrases that will help you to open up the key points in your statement
  
• Read some good poets' work
  
• If you struggle to find the right words for your piece, you should write more than one draft. It will help keep your thoughts organized
  
• Follow the simple structure, don’t experiment much with different poem formats
  
• Delete every unnecessary word and simplify language to get a clearer idea of the poem's message
  
• You can add suspense by moving things around
  
• A line break can make or break the rhythm of your poem. Read aloud and pause between lines for the effect to find where appropriate, but don't overdo it.
  
• The best places to insert breaks are those that create new thoughts in each stanza while making one cohesive piece when read together as a whole
  
• Edit your poem and remove all the mistakes and errors
  

Now, let’s see how you should write poems for different scenarios with the help of detailed examples.

How To Write a Poem Examples

For writing poems on more interesting topics, take a look at some captivating ‘how to write a poem’ examples’ here:

After going through these examples, the last thing to do is get help from some useful tips for writing poems. 

Tips to Write a Captivating Poem

To write poems that create vivid images in the minds of readers and keep them hooked, get help from the tips below: 

• Find inspiration from your own experiences, observations, imagination, or other works of art.
  
• Brainstorm and gather ideas by listing words, phrases, images, and metaphors.
  
• Choose a form and structure, such as a sonnet, haiku, or free verse.
  
• Craft vivid imagery using descriptive language that engages all five senses.
  
• Incorporate figurative language, such as metaphors, similes, personification, and symbolism.
  
• Express genuine emotions and let your vulnerability shine through.
  
• Consider the reader's experience and what you want them to take away from your poem.
  
• Read aloud and refine your language to enhance the overall experience.
  
• Seek feedback and share your work with others for constructive criticism.
  
• Keep experimenting with different styles, forms, and techniques.
  

To conclude, a poem is typically a short piece of writing that uses a rhythmic flow to engage the readers. Poems can be composed about any desirable subject, and there are not any strict rules on how to write one. 

What you should care for the most is that writing a poem should be a fun and exciting journey. After understanding the poem types, elements, examples, and tips mentioned in this blog, you’ll craft a wonderful poem!

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Keep the words flowing!