Creative WritingCreative Writing

10 Tips for Writing Poetry10 Tips for Writing Poetry

Writing is no trouble: you just jot down Writing is no trouble: you just jot down ideas as they occur to you. The jotting is ideas as they occur to you. The jotting is simplicity itself - it is the occurring which is simplicity itself - it is the occurring which is difficult. difficult. --Stephen Leacock Stephen Leacock

10 Tips for Writing Poetry10 Tips for Writing Poetry1.1. Know your goalKnow your goal2.2. Avoid ClichésAvoid Clichés3.3. Avoid SentimentalityAvoid Sentimentality4.4. Use ImagesUse Images5.5. Use Metaphors and SimilesUse Metaphors and Similes6.6. Use Concrete Words, instead of Abstract Use Concrete Words, instead of Abstract

WordsWords7.7. Communicate ThemeCommunicate Theme8.8. Subvert the OrdinarySubvert the Ordinary9.9. Rhyme with CautionRhyme with Caution10.10. ReviseRevise

1. Know your Goal1. Know your Goal

If you don’t know where you’re going, how If you don’t know where you’re going, how can you get there?can you get there?

Ask yourself:Ask yourself: What do you want your poem to “do”?What do you want your poem to “do”?

• Describe a life eventDescribe a life event• Protest an injusticeProtest an injustice• Describe nature’s beautyDescribe nature’s beauty

Once you know what you want the poem Once you know what you want the poem to “do”, you can align all elements of the to “do”, you can align all elements of the poem to serve the main purpose. poem to serve the main purpose.

ToneTone

The poem’s implied attitude toward its The poem’s implied attitude toward its subjectsubject

It is an abstraction we create from the It is an abstraction we create from the details of the poem’s languagedetails of the poem’s language

““War Is Kind”War Is Kind”(pg. 511)(pg. 511)

Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind. Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind. Because your lover threw wild hands toward the sky Because your lover threw wild hands toward the sky And the affrighted steed ran on alone, And the affrighted steed ran on alone, Do not weep. Do not weep. War is kind. War is kind.

Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment, Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment, Little souls who thirst for fight, Little souls who thirst for fight, These men were born to drill and die. These men were born to drill and die. The unexplained glory flies above them, The unexplained glory flies above them, Great is the battle-god, great, and his kingdom Great is the battle-god, great, and his kingdom A field where a thousand corpses lie. A field where a thousand corpses lie.

Do not weep, babe, for war is kind. Do not weep, babe, for war is kind. Because your father tumbled in the yellow trenches, Because your father tumbled in the yellow trenches, Raged at his breast, gulped and died, Raged at his breast, gulped and died, Do not weep. Do not weep. War is kind. War is kind.

Swift blazing flag of the regiment, Swift blazing flag of the regiment, Eagle with crest of red and gold, Eagle with crest of red and gold, These men were born to drill and die.These men were born to drill and die.Point for them the virtue of slaughter,Point for them the virtue of slaughter,Make plain to them the excellence of killing Make plain to them the excellence of killing And a field where a thousand corpses lie. And a field where a thousand corpses lie. Mother whose heart hung humble as a button Mother whose heart hung humble as a button On the bright splendid shroud of your son, On the bright splendid shroud of your son, Do not weep. Do not weep. War is kind. War is kind.

““When I have fears that I may When I have fears that I may cease to be” (814)cease to be” (814)

When I have fears that I may cease to be When I have fears that I may cease to be Before my pen has glean'd my teeming brain, Before my pen has glean'd my teeming brain, Before high-piled books, in charactery, Before high-piled books, in charactery, Hold like rich garners the full ripen'd grain; Hold like rich garners the full ripen'd grain; When I behold, upon the night's starr'd face, When I behold, upon the night's starr'd face,

       Huge cloudy symbols of a high romance, Huge cloudy symbols of a high romance, And think that I may never live to trace And think that I may never live to trace Their shadows, with the magic hand of chance; Their shadows, with the magic hand of chance; And when I feel, fair creature of an hour, And when I feel, fair creature of an hour, That I shall never look upon thee more, That I shall never look upon thee more, Never have relish in the faery power Never have relish in the faery power Of unreflecting love;--then on the shore Of unreflecting love;--then on the shore Of the wide world I stand alone, and think Of the wide world I stand alone, and think Till love and fame to nothingness do sink. Till love and fame to nothingness do sink.

2. Avoid Clichés2. Avoid Clichés

Stephen Minot definesStephen Minot defines a a clichécliché as: as: "A metaphor or simile that has become so "A metaphor or simile that has become so

familiar from overuse that the vehicle … no familiar from overuse that the vehicle … no longer contributes any meaning whatever to longer contributes any meaning whatever to the tenor. It provides neither the vividness of a the tenor. It provides neither the vividness of a fresh metaphor nor the strength of a single fresh metaphor nor the strength of a single unmodified word….The word is also used to unmodified word….The word is also used to describe overused but nonmetaphorical describe overused but nonmetaphorical expressions such as 'tried and true' and 'each expressions such as 'tried and true' and 'each and every'" (and every'" (Three Genres: The Writing of Three Genres: The Writing of Poetry, Fiction and DramaPoetry, Fiction and Drama, 405). , 405).

Often Clichéd Poetic ElementsOften Clichéd Poetic Elements ImageryImagery- language that appeals to the senses- language that appeals to the senses SimileSimile-a figure of speech that uses the words -a figure of speech that uses the words

likelike or or asas to directly compare two seemingly to directly compare two seemingly unlike things unlike things

MetaphorMetaphor-a figure of speech that compares or -a figure of speech that compares or equates two basically different things, one object equates two basically different things, one object becomes the other.becomes the other.

Hyperbole-Hyperbole- exaggeration or understatement in exaggeration or understatement in descriptiondescription

ThemeTheme-the central idea of a literary work usually -the central idea of a literary work usually expressed as a generalization about life, yet expressed as a generalization about life, yet poems often have multiple themes. Be careful poems often have multiple themes. Be careful not to oversimplify the work. not to oversimplify the work.

2. Avoid Clichés (con’t)2. Avoid Clichés (con’t)

Clichés are overused metaphors, similes, and Clichés are overused metaphors, similes, and other non-metaphorical sayings.other non-metaphorical sayings.

Clichés can also be overused literary elements.Clichés can also be overused literary elements. Overused ThemesOverused Themes

• Love, Loss, Flowers, etc.Love, Loss, Flowers, etc. Overused Character TypesOverused Character Types

• Perfect hero, Young lover, etc.Perfect hero, Young lover, etc. Overused PlotsOverused Plots

• Lost love (Break-ups), Walking in Nature, etc.Lost love (Break-ups), Walking in Nature, etc.

2. Avoid Clichés (con’t)2. Avoid Clichés (con’t)

How to Improve a Cliché:How to Improve a Cliché:1.1. Determine what the original cliché is trying Determine what the original cliché is trying

to say.to say.

2.2. Think of an original way to describe what the Think of an original way to describe what the cliché is trying to describe.cliché is trying to describe.

3.3. Create a phrase using the non-cliched way Create a phrase using the non-cliched way of description.of description.

Fixing ClichésFixing Clichés

1.1. Sharp as a tackSharp as a tack

2.2. Busy as a beeBusy as a bee

3.3. Tired as a dogTired as a dog

4.4. Dead as a doornailDead as a doornail

5.5. Know it like the back of my handKnow it like the back of my hand

6.6. Quiet as a mouseQuiet as a mouse

3. Avoid Sentimentality3. Avoid Sentimentality

Sentimentality is:Sentimentality is: Language "dominated by a blunt appeal to the Language "dominated by a blunt appeal to the

emotions of pity and love” (131). emotions of pity and love” (131). ““When readers have the feeling that emotions When readers have the feeling that emotions

like rage or indignation have been pushed like rage or indignation have been pushed artificially for their own sake, they will not take artificially for their own sake, they will not take the poem seriously" (132).the poem seriously" (132).

Common subjects are:Common subjects are:• PuppiesPuppies• RelativesRelatives• Young LoversYoung Lovers

4. Use Images4. Use Images

““Be a Painter in WORDS”Be a Painter in WORDS” SHOW the reader; don’t just tell themSHOW the reader; don’t just tell them Poetry should stimulate six sensesPoetry should stimulate six senses

1.1. SightSight2.2. HearingHearing3.3. SmellSmell4.4. TouchTouch5.5. TasteTaste6.6. Kinesiology (our sense of motion)Kinesiology (our sense of motion)

Descriptive WritingDescriptive Writing

Describe the scenes depicted in the Describe the scenes depicted in the following famous paintings, commenting following famous paintings, commenting on all 6 senses.on all 6 senses.

Remember to avoid sentimentality and Remember to avoid sentimentality and cliché.cliché.

Vincent Vincent Van Van

Gogh Gogh

Tiananmen Square Tiananmen Square

Claude Monet Claude Monet

WWII WWII

5. Use Metaphor and Simile5. Use Metaphor and Simile

Brings imagery and concrete images to Brings imagery and concrete images to your writingyour writing

Neither similes nor metaphors are more or Neither similes nor metaphors are more or less poetic than the other.less poetic than the other. It is important to remember that comparison, It is important to remember that comparison,

inference, and suggestion are all important inference, and suggestion are all important tools of poetry; similes and metaphors will aid tools of poetry; similes and metaphors will aid those areas. those areas.

6. Use Concrete Words Instead of 6. Use Concrete Words Instead of Abstract WordsAbstract Words

Concrete wordsConcrete words: things that people can : things that people can experience with their senses.experience with their senses. Examples:Examples:

• WarmWarm• DogDog• BrownBrown

Abstract wordsAbstract words: refer to concepts or feelings.: refer to concepts or feelings. Examples:Examples:

• LibertyLiberty• HappyHappy• LoveLove

6. Use Concrete Words Instead of 6. Use Concrete Words Instead of Abstract Words (Con’t)Abstract Words (Con’t)

How to change abstract words into How to change abstract words into concrete words and images.concrete words and images. One way is to think of an object or a scene One way is to think of an object or a scene

that evokes the abstract word.that evokes the abstract word.• Example: She felt happy.Example: She felt happy.• Improvement: Improvement:

Her smile spread a red tint across her cheeks. Her smile spread a red tint across her cheeks.

7. Communicate Theme7. Communicate Theme Poetry ALWAYS has a theme.Poetry ALWAYS has a theme.

Theme is not just a topic.Theme is not just a topic. Theme= Idea (Topic) + OpinionTheme= Idea (Topic) + Opinion Examples:Examples:

Topic: The Vietnam WarTopic: The Vietnam War Theme: History shows that despite our claims Theme: History shows that despite our claims

to be peace-loving, unfortunately each person to be peace-loving, unfortunately each person secretly dreams of gaining glory through secretly dreams of gaining glory through conflict. conflict.

8. Subvert the Ordinary8. Subvert the Ordinary

A Poet’s strength is the ability to see what A Poet’s strength is the ability to see what other people see everyday in a new way.other people see everyday in a new way. You don’t have to create original subjects.You don’t have to create original subjects. Rather a good poet takes an ordinary object, Rather a good poet takes an ordinary object,

place, person, or idea; and comes up with a place, person, or idea; and comes up with a new perception of it.new perception of it.

8. Subvert the Ordinary (Con’t)8. Subvert the Ordinary (Con’t)

Example: People ride the bus everyday.Example: People ride the bus everyday. Poet’s Interpretation: A poet looks at the Poet’s Interpretation: A poet looks at the

people on the bus and imagines scenes from people on the bus and imagines scenes from their lives. their lives. • A poet sees a 60 year old woman and imagines a A poet sees a 60 year old woman and imagines a

grandmother who runs marathons. grandmother who runs marathons. • A poet sees a 2 year old boy and imagines him A poet sees a 2 year old boy and imagines him

painting with ruby nail polish on the walls of his painting with ruby nail polish on the walls of his home, and his mother trying not to respond in home, and his mother trying not to respond in anger.anger.

9. Rhyme with Extreme Caution 9. Rhyme with Extreme Caution and Purposeand Purpose

Rhyme and meter can be dangerous if Rhyme and meter can be dangerous if used the wrong way.used the wrong way. Remember any sing-song nursery rhymes?Remember any sing-song nursery rhymes?

• ““The Ants Go Marching”The Ants Go Marching”• ““Humpty Dumpty”Humpty Dumpty”

If you choose a rhyme scheme that makes If you choose a rhyme scheme that makes your poem sound sing-song, it will detract your poem sound sing-song, it will detract from the quality of your poem. from the quality of your poem.

10. Revise10. Revise

Put your poem away for a few days, and then Put your poem away for a few days, and then come back to it. come back to it.

When you re-read it, ask yourself:When you re-read it, ask yourself: Does anything seem confusing? Hard to follow? Does anything seem confusing? Hard to follow? Do you see anything that needs improvement that you Do you see anything that needs improvement that you

overlooked the first time? overlooked the first time?

Often, when you are in the act of writing, you Often, when you are in the act of writing, you may leave out important details because you are may leave out important details because you are so familiar with the topic. so familiar with the topic. Re-reading a poem helps you to see it from the Re-reading a poem helps you to see it from the

"outsider's perspective" of a reader. "outsider's perspective" of a reader.

10. Revise10. Revise

Show your poem to others and ask for Show your poem to others and ask for criticism. criticism. Don't be content with a response like, "That's Don't be content with a response like, "That's

a nice poem." a nice poem." • You won't learn anything from that kind of You won't learn anything from that kind of

response. response. • Instead, find people who will tell you specific things Instead, find people who will tell you specific things

you need to improve in your poem. you need to improve in your poem.

Quiz ReviewQuiz Review

Know all skills related to the 10 tips of poetry.Know all skills related to the 10 tips of poetry. Know the definitions of the following poetic Know the definitions of the following poetic

elements:elements: ToneTone MetaphorMetaphor SimileSimile HyperboleHyperbole RhymeRhyme AssonanceAssonance Alliteration Alliteration

Improving ClichésImproving Clichés

Every dog has his dayEvery dog has his day Love is blindLove is blind Old as dirtOld as dirt

Creating Concrete Images Creating Concrete Images Representing Abstract Concepts Representing Abstract Concepts

and Emotionsand Emotions

JealousyJealousy AngerAnger