Rhythm refers to a pattern created by Some form poems have established words, phrases, pauses, and punctuation. formulas. These include: cinquains, Patterns can be regular, irregular, or diamantes, tankas, haikus, etc.) Most random. Rhythm can be both visual (how contemporary poems are written in free the words look on the page) and aural (how verse, where the lines are not measured or they sound). Decisions regarding rhythm counted for accents, syllables, or rhyme. include: Lines in free verse may be short, long, or variable. Free verse usually uses vivid Choosing words for their sound in images, sound patterns, etc. addition to their meaning Making choices about line breaks Considering pauses Considering beat & emphasis Tone Making decisions about punctuation Matching the poem’s pace to its Tone in poetry is the term used for the tone writer’s attitude toward his or her subject, Matching the pace to meaning audience, or self. It is the emotional Using devices such as repetition meaning of the poem and is an important Working with the natural ebb and part of the total meaning. For example, is it flow of the language. sarcastic, carefree, happy, angry, or an excited tone? Recognition of tone, on the Form reader’s part, requires increasing familiarity All poetry distinguishes itself through the with word connotation, alertness to specific format in which it is written. Many nuances of language, and careful study. types of poetry are categorized according to The best way in which writers can practise the form used by the poet. In addition, incorporating a particular tone into their some poems take a certain form on the poetry is to have readers read the poetry page or form a kind of picture that relates and receive feedback from those readers. somehow to the content. The most important concepts related to form are the Theme following: The theme is a kind of unifying force which Form and content are connected keeps the poem from off in different “going Form contributes to the meaning of directions”. The theme of a poem is not its the poem subject, but rather its central idea, which In most cases, the content of a may be stated either directly or indirectly. poem determines its form
Rhythm refers to a pattern created by words, phrases, pauses, and punctuation. Patterns can be regular, irregular, or random. Rhythm can be both visual (how the words look on the page) and aural (how they sound). Decisions regarding rhythm include: Choosing words for their sound in addition to their meaning Making choices about line breaks Considering pauses Considering beat & emphasis Making decisions about punctuation Matching the poem’s pace to its tone Matching the pace to meaning Using devices such as repetition Working with the natural ebb and flow of the language. Form All poetry distinguishes itself through the specific format in which it is written. Many types of poetry are categorized according to the form used by the poet. In addition, some poems take a certain form on the page or form a kind of picture that relates somehow to the content. The most important concepts related to form are the following: Form and content are connected Form contributes to the meaning of the poem In most cases, the content of a poem determines its form Some form poems have established formulas. These include: cinquains, diamantes, tankas, haikus, etc.) Most contemporary poems are written in free verse, where the lines are not measured or counted for accents, syllables, or rhyme. Lines in free verse may be short, long, or variable. Free verse usually uses vivid images, sound patterns, etc. Tone Tone in poetry is the term used for the writer’s attitude toward his or her subject, audience, or self. It is the emotional meaning of the poem and is an important part of the total meaning. For example, is it sarcastic, carefree, happy, angry, or an excited tone? Recognition of tone, on the reader’s part, requires increasing familiarity with word connotation, alertness to nuances of language, and careful study. The best way in which writers can practise incorporating a particular tone into their poetry is to have readers read the poetry and receive feedback from those readers. Theme The theme is a kind of unifying force which keeps the poem from “going off in different directions”. The theme of a poem is not its subject, but rather its central idea, which may be stated either directly or indirectly.