by CADY MAAS
It’s no secret that Chadwick is renowned for its community of talented poets. For years, Chadwick’s creative writing has inspired students and teachers alike, leaving many to wonder how the English Department develops such incredible talent. Few people, however, are aware that this poetical prowess stems from a few important tips. Chadwick’s poets generously collaborated on this list of must-dos to guide fellow aspiring writers on their journey:
1. Always focus on rhyme.
Rhyme is the most important and most identifiable aspect of good poetry. The simpler the rhymes, the better; a clear, easily identifiable rhyme scheme is important to connecting with the audience. All readers enjoy a good rhyme, even when it doesn’t quite relate to the meaning of the poem.
2. Be very literal.
If written well, your audience should be able to clearly understand the meaning of your poems. Literal language paints a direct picture! A lack of specificity requires readers to think for more than a few seconds, which defeats the purpose of literature. Ideally, poetry should be straightforward and obvious, with little room for subjective interpretation.
3. Use lots of good adjectives!
A great, interesting way to really spice up your work is the use of many, many adjectives and adverbs. They ensure that your poem cannot be left up to interpretation, they give readers a concrete image of what they’re seeing on the page, and they add length, which is really important.
4. Punctuation, is … overrated?
In reality, punctuation serves little purpose to the meaning of a poem. It can, however, add to the aesthetic and enhance your creative expression. Throw in some exclamation points in the middle of sentences or a comma after the first word. This eye-catching use of punctuation will draw a reader into your poem.
5. Clichés are a good rule of thumb.
Who doesn’t love a good cliché? This writing method provides an easy way to connect to an audience, giving them a boost of confidence while reading. They’ll feel so smart if they can guess what you’re going to say! When in doubt, using clichés may give your poem that extra boost to really elevate it.
After years of trial and error, Chadwick’s incredible poets have determined that these tips and tricks smooth the path to poetry success.
So to any aspiring writers, the next time you whip up a poem, make sure to follow these essential elements!
The Mainsheet 