What Form of Poetry Suits You? Easy Guide

As a beginner poet, you must find a form of poetry that goes well with your writing style. Look at your poetic goals and coming up with the main themes of your poetry. This will help you select a form that fits you.

You may find a poetic form using these approaches.

* Determine the themes and goals of your poetry

* Select a structured poetic form

* Choose a more open poetic form

1. Determining Themes and Goals of Your Poetry

Select the Main Themes

If you already have several poems written, peruse them and notice the obvious ideas and themes.  For example, if you always write short poems about love, short poetic forms may be ideal for you.

If you are writing a poem for the first time, list down themes and ideas that interest you. 

What Are Your Poetic Goals?

Ask yourself what inspires you to become a poet. Identifying your poem's purpose will help you narrow down to a poetic form that best suits you. Choose a form that you hope to submit in poetry contests.  

What Poetic Forms Have You Always Wanted to Try?

List down poetic forms you have always wanted to try. This will enhance your creative ability as you write poems. Perhaps you have always wanted to write a sonnet or a haiku or surrealist poetry that fascinates you. Write at least one poem for the forms you like. 

What Poetic Forms Do You Enjoy Reading?

Focusing on poetic forms you have enjoyed reading in the past will help you choose an ideal poetic form. Try writing in the forms of your favorite poets. If you are an ardent reader of Shakespeare's sonnets, try writing a series of sonnets. 

2. Select A Structured Poetic Form

Try the Shorter Poetic Forms

If you desire to write poems that take less time, short poetic forms are the best bet. Types of short poetic forms include Haiku, Cinquain, and the Shape Poems. 

The Rhyming Form

This is suitable for poems that are fun and entertaining. Rhyming forms in poetry include the limerick, sonnet, and the rhymed verse. 

The Narrative Form

These are poems that give stories from the beginning to the end. Unlike the older narrative with structure and rhyme scheme, the modern narrative's rhyme scheme is less rigid. A narrative must have a main character who may also be the speaker in the poem. 

3. Choose A More Open Poetic Form

Try A Free Verse Form

You may select the free verse form in poetry competitions if freedom is your goal as a poet. 

Use A Poem You Love to Create Form

Take a poem you love and copy the rhyme scheme. You may also take phrases from a poem you love and use them in your poem. 

Conclusion

If you want to excel as a poet, you must find a poetic form that suits you and run with it. This is very important, especially if you plan on entering poetry competitions.