ArtsAutosBooksBusinessEducationEntertainmentFamilyFashionFoodGamesGenderHealthHolidaysHomeHubPagesPersonal FinancePetsPoliticsReligionSportsTechnologyTravel

An Easy Guide on How to Write Different Types of Poetry

Updated on February 5, 2016

Find Inspiration All Around You

Finding Your Muse
Finding Your Muse | Source

Why You Should Try Writing Poetry

I am going to explain some of the different types of poems which are out there and how to write them.

Poetry is individual, the words can convey beauty, power or pain. The skillful use of imagery can conjure up a picture in your mind which 'almost takes you there.' The feelings of the characters may well be so poignantly written that you can feel their pain and relate it to events from your own life. The written verse is vibrant, skillfully done and it can hold a very deep individual meaning for the reader.

Poetry can Convey Deep Meanings

Source

You Can Write a Poetic Masterpiece

As well as reading poetic works, you may decide to give poetry writing a chance as well. From writing the first draft to reading the finished product you are involved in a journey from your own inspiration to producing a piece which others may find true meaning in.

Below, I am going to list some easy tips for writing your own poetic pieces and also include some information on some of the common technical devices.

If you have a spare fifteen minutes one day perhaps you could write your own poem, you may even find that you have a talent that you did not know existed.

Speak From the Heart

Source

How to Write Poetry

Your inspiration for writing may come from anywhere. Perhaps you see or hear something interesting when you are out and about. You may feel sad or joyful about a specific past or present event. It is from the heart, write what you feel and remember to leave pauses for the reader to catch their breath between lines.

When you have your inspiration, sit and write out what comes to your mind. It can be written either in line form or even as a passage of prose which you can edit later to take on a poetic form.

Read aloud your first draft and pull out the interesting phrases, the things that have meaning and anything else you think is important within it. Go through your draft and change the bits you feel have no worth or importance . This process of revision changes your poem from an idea into a creation.

The revision process may take a long time. As you revise you will see a shape appear in your poem. Revise until you are happy with what you have written and it feels right.

The most important thing is to enjoy writing it.

Photograph Interesting Sights that you can Write about Later

Source

In Writing - Choosing Either a Descriptive or Evocative Title

The title is paramount to the poem and will be the first thing that attracts your reader. The space between reading the title and getting to the written words is a magical time where your reader is guessing and wondering what will happen.

Within titles there are two main types: the descriptive and the evocative.The descriptive title will get to the point whilst the evocative title will be more mysterious.

Let your imagination roam and create a title to capture and captivate your audience.

Fill your Senses and Relay it Into Words

Source

Where Should You Break the Poetry Lines?

The line in poetry can be either a full sentence or a broken one. Where you break your line will affect your readers who perception of the poetry. Positioning your line breaks in the normal pattern at the end of your sentence will create structure. However, if you break lines in the middle of sentences and at the end of stanzas you can create suspense and add to the atmosphere and drama of the poem.

You can limit line lengths within your verse by counting the number of syllables it contains. You may decided that all the lines in the poem will be eight syllables long which will give your poem a clear shape but it may also restrict your writing choices.

Poetry can express our feelings and our thoughts.

Source

Different Types of Poems

Read on to find out about some common poetry types and also some of the techniques used to write them.

Be Inspired by the Great Outdoors

Source

Acrostic

Acrostic verse involves using a word or name written down the left hand side which you then need to use as the first letter for each of your words on each of your lines.

Alliterative

Alliterative verse has been used for centuries. It involves using two or more words which begin within the same sound within your line. Using alliteration creates a shape within the writing and a sense of rhythm. Traditionally it is the first syllable on which the alliteration is based, but you can choose the right method for yourself.

Do you feel poetry should rhyme?

Should poetry use rhyming?

See results

Let the Feelings Flow Through Your Words

Source

Free Verse

Free verse basically means that you write without following any particular rules or a structure. At the end of your free verse, your writing will have developed it own shape.

Haiku

Haiku is originally from Japan but the English speaking Haiku usually take a slightly different form to the Japanese one.

In English Haiku a basic structure exists where three lines are used containing seventeen syllables, usually split as five, seven and five. Very beautiful pieces of writing can be created in this form.

Using Imagery in Your Writing

The use of imagery within poetry is one of the most exciting aspects of its creation. The use of metaphoric language where we state that something 'is' something unrelated produces a dramatic effect.

Similes are also used in poetry where we state something is 'like' something else unrelated.

Inspiration can come in many forms.

Write what you feel.
Write what you feel. | Source

Narrarative Form

A narrative poem is telling a story. It might have real details of people and places and off course it can still use creative imagery as well.

Writing Poetry

Choose the best poetry structure for your subject.
Choose the best poetry structure for your subject. | Source

Different Types of Rhyme

Full rhyme gives your poem a very distinctive shape but it has to be used carefully so that it doesn't become predictable. It may also cut down the choice of words that you can use because you have to make it rhythm.

Half rhyme is a popular choice, as it still has rhyme but isn't as restrictive to your word choices.

Release Your Inner Poet

Let Those Creative Juices Flow
Let Those Creative Juices Flow | Source

The Poetic Conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my tips and the journey of it's creation. Perhaps it may entice you to try to write a few lines yourself.

You have nothing to lose by giving it a try and you may even discover a creative new talent you did not even know you had.

Walk In the Shoes of Your Character

Does Your Character See the Sunshine or the Passing Clouds?
Does Your Character See the Sunshine or the Passing Clouds? | Source

Do You Write Poetry?

Do you normally write poetry to express yourself?

See results

Inspiration Is All Around Us

Source

© 2013 Anna Haven

working

This website uses cookies

As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: https://corp.maven.io/privacy-policy

Show Details
Necessary
HubPages Device IDThis is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons.
LoginThis is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service.
Google RecaptchaThis is used to prevent bots and spam. (Privacy Policy)
AkismetThis is used to detect comment spam. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide data on traffic to our website, all personally identifyable data is anonymized. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Traffic PixelThis is used to collect data on traffic to articles and other pages on our site. Unless you are signed in to a HubPages account, all personally identifiable information is anonymized.
Amazon Web ServicesThis is a cloud services platform that we used to host our service. (Privacy Policy)
CloudflareThis is a cloud CDN service that we use to efficiently deliver files required for our service to operate such as javascript, cascading style sheets, images, and videos. (Privacy Policy)
Google Hosted LibrariesJavascript software libraries such as jQuery are loaded at endpoints on the googleapis.com or gstatic.com domains, for performance and efficiency reasons. (Privacy Policy)
Features
Google Custom SearchThis is feature allows you to search the site. (Privacy Policy)
Google MapsSome articles have Google Maps embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
Google ChartsThis is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)
Google AdSense Host APIThis service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Google YouTubeSome articles have YouTube videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
VimeoSome articles have Vimeo videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
PaypalThis is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook LoginYou can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
MavenThis supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)
Marketing
Google AdSenseThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Google DoubleClickGoogle provides ad serving technology and runs an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Index ExchangeThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
SovrnThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook AdsThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Unified Ad MarketplaceThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
AppNexusThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
OpenxThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Rubicon ProjectThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
TripleLiftThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Say MediaWe partner with Say Media to deliver ad campaigns on our sites. (Privacy Policy)
Remarketing PixelsWe may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.
Conversion Tracking PixelsWe may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.
Statistics
Author Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)
ComscoreComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Tracking PixelSome articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)
ClickscoThis is a data management platform studying reader behavior (Privacy Policy)