What Makes a Poem?
1. Line Length Short lines = dramatic Long lines = emotional
2. Precision Avoid overuse of articles such as “the” and “and.”
3. Use of Imagery Draw a picture using words. Incorporate your senses. (See “tips” below.)
4. Use of Simile Comparison using “like” or “as” Ex: Your smile is like sunshine.
5. Use of Metaphor Comparison that does not use “like” or “as” Ex: His burden is a mountain of thorns.
Tips for Writing Poems:
1. Use Memory/Senses
- What does it smell like? What does it sound like? What do you hear? What does it taste like? What colors do you see? How are you feeling in that moment or place? What does that feeling remind you of?
2. When stuck, free write
- List words that connect to what you want to write without trying to make it in a poem
3. Relax, release expectations of yourself and the “product”
4. Come back to it later, this may not be the time to write
1. Line Length Short lines = dramatic Long lines = emotional
2. Precision Avoid overuse of articles such as “the” and “and.”
3. Use of Imagery Draw a picture using words. Incorporate your senses. (See “tips” below.)
4. Use of Simile Comparison using “like” or “as” Ex: Your smile is like sunshine.
5. Use of Metaphor Comparison that does not use “like” or “as” Ex: His burden is a mountain of thorns.
Tips for Writing Poems:
1. Use Memory/Senses
- What does it smell like? What does it sound like? What do you hear? What does it taste like? What colors do you see? How are you feeling in that moment or place? What does that feeling remind you of?
2. When stuck, free write
- List words that connect to what you want to write without trying to make it in a poem
3. Relax, release expectations of yourself and the “product”
4. Come back to it later, this may not be the time to write
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