Poetry Revision

 What are you saying? Consider what you are saying in your poem. Poetry, as in any
writing really, is all about the ideas. Is it fresh? Original? Or is it trite and cliché? Has it
been said this way before? Could you add a twist at the end, or create a metaphor to make
it more mysterious or interesting?

 ABSTRACT vs. CONCRETE. Underline all your abstract nouns. (abstract nouns
cannot be grasped with the senses: fear, loneliness, peace, love, etc. ) Replace one or two
key abstract nouns with a concrete noun or image.

 Evoke the SENSES. Make sure the senses are represented. Be very specific and write
words, phrases that deal with sight, smell, taste, feel, sound. (the velvet chair, clink of the
coins, vinegar and garlic, etc.)

 If it doesn’t bleed, cut it. Look at each individual word. If the poem does not need the
word, if it still makes sense without it, get rid of it.

 POETIC elements. Each poem should have several examples of figurative language
such as: alliteration (repetition of sounds), metaphor (comparison of two unlike things),
hyperbole (exaggeration), simile (comparison of two unlike things using like or as),
imagery (create strong images based on the five senses), personification (giving human
qualities to something nonhuman). Etc…If they do not have some, then add some.

 Word Hunt. Take your poem and find five words (verbs and nouns most importantly)
that you can replace with a better word. Use a thesaurus but make sure you know the
word that you are going to use in place.

 Rhyme. If your poem contains end rhyme, change it so that it doesn’t. Find several
places to add some internal rhyme.

 Repetition. A key element in poetry. Create a line, or choose one in the poem already,
and repeat it throughout. Also, if you do use repetition already, make sure it is not over
done, or that you have chosen the right wording to repeat. Could you tweak it a little to
maybe make it more interesting?

To Perform:
Watching someone read a poem is much more entertaining when the poet has it memorized. En-
tertain your audience. ALWAYS read your poetry aloud, even if you are not performing it, to get
the rhythm down. As you read make sure you move a little and use inflection in your voice. Even
if you do not have the entire thing memorized, you can perform it better when you read it if some
of it is memorized. You can look up at your audience from time to time.

Another activity to try
 Write its negative. In other words, if you have a poem about a beautiful summer day,
change each line to the opposite and end up with a poem about a nasty, rainy day, etc..