how to write a poem

Name: Chu, Hoang Bao Khanh
Student ID: 2014190295
Unit 2 essay Mastering Poetry Poetry, like other forms of creative writing, can be a great way to propose ideas, convey emotions and entertain people. The act of creating poetry reinforces realizations about who I am, what I think, what I want, and what I can accomplish. However, writing poetry involves not just scribbling in a notebook. It requires techniques and a lot of practice to show your readers and listeners what you are talking about and help them to experience the imagery of your poem. First, the most important thing is to find inspirations. A poem can be inspired from a trip with your friends, your feelings about the last relationship or from ordinary things in life like your house where you have lived since little. But above all, your inspiration is something that you desire to bring back memories and feel emotional whenever you remember. It is the content of the poem and the main topic of what you are going to write. Inspiration is the soul of your poem. No one can dictate a poet's writing process, but sometimes an exceptional inspiration can give the writer the tool to produce something so much more powerful and profound. Second, you should decide which poetry style suit your subject. The way famous poets transfer their emotions into words is the key to their success. Therefore, it is an advantage to have wide ranges of vocabulary and know a lot of poetic styles. It has been said that if a novel is a " words in the best order", then a poem is " the best words in the best order". Choosing words is as important as getting the right piece in playing puzzle. You should use only words that are necessary and enhance the meaning of the poem. Although poetry is a writing style that allow us to be artistic, to arrange words freely as writing lyrics without music, it is essential to entail the right words and make the rhythm flows smoothly in your poem. Final, be determined. Writing a poem can takes a long time and a lot of effort, you will not finish after the first draft. A complete poem needs to be judged by the author and several people, reconsidered and rewritten many times. Poems are not written long like novels. They are short but deep, condense but meaningful. It might take a couple of hours to write, but days or months to be fully completed. However, do not give up in the middle because every time you change, it is a change for a better. Practice makes perfect. By the time you finish your final draft, you will realize how big a difference compare to the first one. It is not easy to conquer the whole aspect, but you will taste the sweetness after all. In conclusion, writing poetry is a way to grow emotionally and intellectually. Poetry is the means through which we can express ourselves. It is a way to vent and make the world know our stories in our own words. The act of writing a poem is a skill that people can use to help themselves over and over again throughout a life time. Whether you are an advance or a beginner writer, learning some tips on writing poems can certainly be useful.