Your Turn

Now you have had some experience with many types of poems and used elements of figurative language. It's time for YOU to try your hand at writing poems.

Let's start by reminding you of the four elements of poetry on which you'll concentrate. They are: theme, purpose, form and mood. The four elements will work together to make a successful poem.

CENTRAL IDEA When you select a theme, this becomes the focus of the whole poem. It is the main idea of the piece and everything in the poem relates to that idea and reinforces it.

 PURPOSE After your theme is selected you must ask yourself three (3) questions to guide you in the development of your theme.

1. Who is your audience and what do you want to tell them?
2. What is your theme?
3. How can you support the theme with descriptive elements?

 MOOD Three questions will help you decide how the purpose and mood will combine to complete your poem.

• How do you feel about the theme?
• Is the theme serious, funny, sad?
• Are you explaining something?

After your purpose is defined and you recognize your feelings towards the purpose, this will determine the tone or mood of your poem. What effect do you want your poem to have on the reader? How can you "flavor" or "figure" your poem to make it spooky and suspenseful or touching and inspiring?

FORM After the mood of the poem has been determined, decide which poetic form you will use to BEST achieve the mood, fulfill the purpose, and support the theme that you've determined.

Last updated December 30, 2004