Creative Writing
Mr. Graziano
Poetry Rewrite
As with stories, poems require meticulous attention to the rewriting process. In fact, you need to weigh the importance of every line, every word. As with stories, you will find some poems are worth going back to and revising, and others were experiments and exercises in the craft. The decision of which poems to focus on is ultimately up to you.
For this assignment, you will need to choose one poem that you’ve written for the class (or for another class, or recreation) and rewrite the poem. I would like to see substantial changes made. Afterwards, in a couple of paragraphs, I want you to reflect on the process and explain what you’ve done. Also, state where you believe you still need to focus for future revisions.
You will need to turn in the following three things:
1. The rough draft of the poem (marked up).
2. A type rewrite.
3. A typed reflection on the process.
Unfortunately, there is no exact science to rewriting and revision. It’s something that you will need to figure out for yourself. However, you may take the following suggestions while working through it.
1. Omit unnecessary words. Read the poem closely, line by line, and take out words that are just taking up space. Remember each and every words is of the utmost importance in a poem.
2. Show don’t tell. Examine your poem for places where you’re either using an abstraction or telling something to the reader or both. Can this line be replaced with a concrete image?
3. Comb for clichés. Are there images that seem too familiar, like you may have seen it someplace before? Reword your images, play around with the syntax and objects. Rewrite each image in your poem to make them fresh.
4. Read the poem aloud. Either read it to yourself or someone else. But listen closely to the flow of the language. Are there parts that seem forced or jaunty? Is there an inherent rhythm to the language that you can expand on? Listen.
5. Look for your voice. Decide what tone you’re trying to use then let someone else read the poem. Ask them what kind of voice they hear and why. If it is the complete opposite of what you were implying, you may want to re-examine it.
6. Where are we? Is there anything in the poem that ties the reader to the physical world? Ask yourself: Where is my setting? Does the reader know this? Then work on establishing that as crisply and cleanly as possible.
After doing these things, sit down and retype your poem. You might find that by the simple act of typing it again on a blank page that more revisions come to you. You’re going to have to spend some time with this. But hopefully, the results will be worth it.
The following are a list of questions to consider while reflecting on your poetry and the writing process. Remember, all writers must be thoughtful when reflecting on their own work, which is often more difficult than analyzing others. Try to step outside of yourself (I know, easier said than done) and examine the poem with cold objectivity. This can be very difficult with our more personal and emotional work, but if you try to work with the language itself, the crafts devices being used, your poem will only get better.
1. What devices are you using in the poem? Identify specific lines that use imagery, personification, simile or metaphor, hyperbole, etc. If the poem does not use any literary devices is there a good reason for it? Explain.
2. Read your poem aloud. Can you hear any rhythmic devices, true or slant rhymes, traditional or internal? Talk about the rhythm of the poem. Does it flow off the tongue, or are there parts that seem to stutter? Did you intentionally repeat any sounds through the use of assonance or consonance in order to establish tone? Explain.
3. Discuss the tone you were going for with the speaker. Is the speaker present in the poem? Is the speaker you or a persona? Is the speaker addressing anyone in particular? Who? Talk about the language/ word choice/ controlled use of imagery and how it’s working to establish the voice.
4. Finally, what are you trying to say in the poem? What is the meaning/message you hope a reader will take away from it? Is there an underlying sentiment or emotion? Are you trying to make a statement about something? Are you trying to make a reader laugh? Is this poem based on a personal experience, a long-held belief, or a casual observation? Talk a little about the construction and evolution of the poem. Have you said what you want to say without hitting the reader over the head with your message? Be objective.
Type up a 1-2 page, double-spaced reflection and keep these questions because you’re going to need to do reflections for your portfolio. Again, good writers reflect on their work. Granted, they don’t always type up these reflections, but this is a vital part of the process.
If you have to opportunity to revise more than one poem I strongly suggest it. These are due on Friday.