Da_Yog Posted September 26, 2007 Report Posted September 26, 2007 (edited) Empty Spaces: Important Places I have often heard it said that free verse poetry is structure less. On this matter I cannot disagree more. The real beauty of free verse poetry is that the form allows for structure to convey meaning. As an illustration of this try reading both of the following. One is a short essay and the other is the exact same essay presented in a poetry format. (There were some minor word changes in the poetry version.) The big question is: Is the poetic version really poetry? There are times when every poet should think about how to draw attention to a key word or phrase. Sometimes you may wish to be subtle and sometimes you may want to be bold. Either way you decide to go, there are several techniques you may wish to try. First, consider the use of empty space. Adding a single space before or after a word can be quite eye-catching. For a more dramatic flare, use four or five spaces. For real emphasis, try placing the word on a line by itself. Similar things can be said about stanzas. To draw attention to a stanza, add lines before or after the stanza or vary the spacing of the stanza. Second, consider the effect of words that seem out of place. Placing a word at the end of a line, especially after a period, can really draw the reader’s eye. For a less dramatic effect, rearrange the sentence structure. To really catch the reader’s eye, break up a single thought across two stanzas. A third thing you can try is to play with pauses and punctuation. This is poetry. You have more freedom here than in any other written form. A well placed—and maybe a technically improperly placed bit of punctuation—can really grab the reader’s attention. Commas, colons, periods, exclamation points, semi-colons, dashes, hyphens, and question marks are all at your disposal! Don’t be afraid to use them. A last technique you may wish to employ is the use of alliteration, assonance, or rhyme to attract the reader’s natural curiosity. We humans always perceive patterns as we progress through life. I hope you see that you should feel free to take full advantage of this fact. Similarly, if a poem uses one of these techniques as a matter basic form then departing from it for a line or two will immediately draw the reader’s attention. In conclusion, as a poet, you have many options available to you for grabbing, holding, and maintaining the reader’s interest. You should attempt to use many of these techniques as you write various poems. However try not to overuse any one technique in a single poem. When readers become too familiar with one technique they will tune it out and it will thus loose its impact as the poem progresses. There are times When every poet should think about How to draw attention to a key word Or phrase. Sometimes You may wish to be subtle And sometimes you may want to be bold. Either way you decide to go, There are several techniques You may wish to try. First, Consider the use of empty space . Adding a single space Before or after a word can be Quite eye catching. For a more dramatic flare— Use Four or five spaces. For real Emphasis Try placing the word On a line by itself. Similar things Can be said about stanzas. To draw attention to a stanza, Try adding lines Before and after the stanza Or vary the spacing— Of the stanza. Second, Consider the effect of Words that seem out of— Place. Placing A word At the end of a line, Especially after a period, Can really draw the reader’s Eye. For a less dramatic effect, Sentence structure you might rearrange. To really catch the reader’s eye, Break up a single thought Across two stanzas! A third technique You can try Is to play with pauses— And punctuation. This…is poetry! You have more freedom here Than in any other written form! A well placed —And maybe improperly placed bit of punctuation— Can really grab the reader’s attention. Commas, colons, periods, exclamation points, semi-colons, dashes, hyphens, and question marks, Are all at your disposal! Don’t be afraid to use them. A last technique You may wish to employ Is the use of alliteration, assonance, or rhyme To attract the reader’s natural curiosity. We humans are always perceiving patterns as we progress through life. I hope you see that you should feel free To take full advantage of this fact. Similarly, if a poem uses one of these techniques As a matter of basic form Then departing from it for a line or two Will immediately draw attention to itself. In conclusion, As a poet, You have many options available to you— For grabbing, holding, and maintaining The reader’s interest. You should attempt to use Many of these As you write various poems. However try not to overuse any one technique, In any one poem. When readers see the same technique Over and over That technique will loose its effect And the reader will tune it out. Edited October 20, 2007 by Da_Yog
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