FIVE TIPS FOR WRITING BETTER POETRY

Poetry is an art. It has been defined by different scholars and its beauty and usefulness cannot be overemphasized. It cuts across all cultures and all facets of life. 

Writers, especially poets, have always been eager to be a better writer. To write poems that will awaken the emotions of their readers in order to leave them in awe and amazement. Yes, you can write such poems but it requires series of relentless efforts. 

If you are considering writing poetry or improving your skills, here are some tips below: 

Five tips for writing better poetry

1. Read the works of various poets: The best way to gain more knowledge is to read the work others. This will help broaden your horizon and improve your skills. Works of poets like Maya Angelou, Edgar Allan Poe, Langston Hughes, William Wordsworth and also poets like Rupi Kaur, Lang Leav and many more will help you a great deal. Spend time reading and mastering their diverse works in order to improve your skill. 

2. Use simple language: A lot of poets think writing poetry is about using complex words. No, it is not. You can use simple words and still deliver a beautiful poem. This will help you and your audience to get the meaning of your poem easily. It's not bad to write using complex words but it is advisable to start experimenting with simple words.

3. Read various poetic devices: Poetic devices such as alliteration and assonance will help you in writing a good poem. Metonymy, Oxymoron, Synecdoche, Hyperbole and Metaphor will also add flavours to your poem. 

4. Try various poetic forms: Start with simple poetic forms such as couplet (a two-line poem) and haiku (is an unrhymed Japanese poetic form that consists of 17 syllables arranged in three lines containing five, seven, and five syllables, respectively). From there, you can start writing more lengthy lines.

5. Don't stop writing: Keep writing, practise everyday. This will help you to know better and be better at writing poetry. Practice makes perfect and the best way to master any skill is to keep doing it. You're free to write any way you like, there are no rules in poetry. Don't focus on your errors, focus on mastering your skill. 

Thank you for reading.

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Deborah Oyindamola Tadese

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