literature

3 tips for poetry

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pugsmith's avatar
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Literature Text

In no particular order:

1. Have a theme: A theme is a subject and an opinion. Have a theme in mind while writing. An example would be an apple: an apple isn't a theme. Your opinions towards an apple are a theme. Are they delicious? Gross? Do you find beauty or simplicity in it? That's what makes a poem a poem, at least in my opinion.
2. Say more in less: The more concise you can be with your words, the better. Tell me, which of these sentences is appealing:
a) "The leaf swiftly danced across the crackly bridge, in harmony with the shaking trees."
b) "The leaf fell across the bridge."
c) "The leaf danced across the bridge, harmonizing with the trees."
As I see it, c is the answer. It isn't bleak, but isn't purple. Purple is typically defined by...
3Adverb and adjective abuse: This is one I see all the time. The best type of word you can put in your poem is a verb. Verbs do things, and unless you want to go for a feeling of stillness, use them. Adverbs and adjectives, while nice, describe a verb or noun instead of introducing one. What's better, a ripe, fruity, delicious apple? Or an apple falling? Adverbs and adjectives are like sprinkles: they may taste good, but beef up the actual content some.
3 tips I've gathered over the years on writing a decent poem.
© 2014 - 2024 pugsmith
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nosedivve's avatar
A theme is something that can simplify the poem in a few words which can also be the meaning. For example, a theme of a poem could be depression due to the context of the poem, the bleak tone (or any tone that coneys depression), imagery, word choice, etc. But the meaning could be, for example, how the narrator views depression—an opinion if you will. This example is obviously not entirely universal though. Theme is an idea but the meaning tends to tackle the opinions or facts of the idea.

I'm pretty sure what I'm saying is accurate considering this has been drilled in my head every time we go over the poetry unit in school.