As you draft your poem, dear writers, here are some tips to keep in mind: 

ENGAGE THE SENSES.

Poetry can come alive through sensory details. A single detail—say, the weight of a winter coat, or the scent of honeysuckle on the breeze—can immerse your readers and evoke or convey an emotion in a way that “shows” rather than “tells.” See if you can magnify certain parts of the world (an object, a setting detail) to make the reader experience them as if for the first time. “Poetry lifts the veil from the hidden beauty of the world, and makes familiar objects be as if they were not familiar,” wrote Percy Bysshe Shelley. 

EXPERIMENT WITH STRUCTURE.

From the strict sonnet to the unbridled free verse, all forms of poetry are welcome. Keep in mind that line breaks, white space, and punctuation (or the lack thereof!) can shape how your poem is read and felt. For example, a sudden break can surprise, and a long stanza can build momentum.

EMBRACE LITERARY TECHNIQUES. 

As with sensory details, instead of stating an emotion outright, consider drawing a non-literal connection to an image or symbol as a way to shed new light on your subject matter. If your poem is about longing, for example, it could take the shape of a bird flying south or a tide that keeps pulling away or the smell of summer. Remember, detail (e.g. the weight of a winter coat) can be expressed with the help of metaphors and similes. Look in the “Big List of Poetry Terms & Examples” for more ideas. 

PLAY WITH SOUND AND RHYTHM. 

Even if you’re not writing in a formal meter, the way your words flow matters. Try reading your poem aloud. Do certain lines beg to be stretched or tightened? Do certain words echo the feelings you intend to evoke? And remember: your poem doesn’t have to rhyme at the end of each line. Experiment with other forms of rhyme (like internal and slant), or language techniques (like alliteration and assonance) that help with flow. Learn more in the “Big List of Poetry Terms & Examples.”

THE SPEAKER. THE OCCASION. THE VOICE. 

Who is speaking the words of your poem? Remember: it doesn’t have to be—and often isn’t—the poet! Is the reason for their expression clear to the reader? Is their persona (their emotions, thoughts, and motivations) shining through? Every poem has a speaker with a voice, and a particular reason (the “stakes”!) for speaking at this moment. Consider: do you want to name or define your speaker for readers, or leave their identity intentionally vague? In what ways might this decision alter the message or impact of your verse?

SURPRISE YOURSELF. 

Let your poem take you somewhere unexpected. Perhaps an image leads to a memory that you hadn’t planned to explore, or the poem’s ending reveals something new and begs another revision!

(OPTIONAL) THE PERFORMANCE.

Spoken word pieces are poems that are written to be performed. In addition to considering the rhythm and cadence of your poem, take time to practice elements such as projection, enunciation, pauses, and eye contact. Watching other spoken word performances (see the resource below) will give you a sense of how the delivery of a piece creates mood and meaning just as much as the words themselves. You’ll also notice that the spoken word genre celebrates authenticity of voice and subject matter. As you experiment with your own lines, remind yourself that the power of spoken word comes from writing about what matters most to you, and expressing these sentiments in your own voice.