The Poet's Society

If you're finding it difficult to jot down your thoughts in prose, maybe it's time you tried poetry? We round up a few tips that will soon have you calling a rose by any other name...

- LYNDA INGHAM-BROWN

1 Read to write 

The best way to learn to write poetry is to read it. You don't always have to dig for meaning. Simply let the words wash over you and see how they make you feel.

The most important thing is to explore styles and poets and get tuned into the words. If you do want to dig deeper, do an analysis line by line and figure out how different poets explore different themes.

2 Listen to recitals

Some poetry is made to be heard or read out loud - the rhythm and sounds of the words lend themselves to live performance. If you can, attend a local poetry recital to appreciate alliteration, assonance and how emphasis on different words and syllables can enhance a poem. If you're brave enough, read your own poem or ask someone to read it for you and ask for feedback.

3 Start small