A Simple Introduction to Poetry

1. First and foremost, poetry is about the process of creation. Do what you feel is right.
2. These are not rules that have to be followed 100%, but they are general guidelines to follow when experimenting with poetry.
3. Try to avoid end-rhymes. Generally speaking they weaken the impact of your poem and give it a childish feel. End-rhymes also limit your word use because when you could use a more descriptive, visually evocative word you have to also make sure that the work fits with the overall scheme. However, the correct use of an internal rhyme (or a rhyme contained within the lines of poetry) can increase a line's impact.
4. Avoid the repetition of words or phrases in your poem unless you are specifically doing it on purpose. If you cant think of another synonym try using a metaphor to get your meaning across.
5. In most writing, poetry included, metaphors are stronger than smilies. Why say what something is like when you can show your reader what something is? For example: My mother was like an angry hornet OR my mother is an angry hornet. Which one gives you a better mental image?
6. There are hundreds of forms of poetry already in existence, a fun exercise is to take one of those forms and adapt it for yourself. This is not to say that you have to follow, even partially, a particular form of poetry. You can write free form whatever comes to mind.
7. In some cases the layout of a poem is as important as what the poem is saying, visual elements on the page can emphasize or de-emphasize a word or phrase.

Here are some examples to get you started:

• Here is a Wikipedia article on the pantoum ,example here.
• Here is a Wikipedia article on prose poetry,example here.
• Here is a Wikipedia article on the sonnet, example here.
• Here is a Wikipedia article on the haiku, a syllable counter, with examples here.
• Here is a Wikipedia article on the manifesto.
• Here is a Wikipedia article on the acrostic poem.
• Here is a Wikipedia article on the limerick poem, example here.
• Here is a Wikipedia article on the narrative poem, example here.