HOW TO WRITE A FREE VERSE

Winston SmoakTEECH 539 Digital Media

August 30, 2010

What is a Free Verse?

A free verse is a type of poetry that is compose of rhymed on unrhymed lines that have no specific metrical pattern. This type of poetry originated in the early 20th century. This style of poetry allowed poets to improvise and break from the traditional methods of composing poetry.

Step 1

•Select a topic and format for the poem. •The poem can describe a person, place or thing •The poem can be in the for of a story

Step 2

•Select a tone for your poem. The free verse can be serious, funny, educational or sad.•This will help the reader get a better understanding of the message that poem is trying to depict

Step 3

Use words to describe your topic, as opposed to telling the reader about the topic. And example of the would be instead of writing “We had a bad time at the park” your should write “We had frowns on out faces the entire walk home”. The sad facial expression gives the reader a description of the bad time that had transpired at the park.

Step 4

•While writing your free verse use words to capture images and convey meaning•Use lyrical phrases to get message across without actually telling the story •Use figurative language devices such as metaphors and similes to help you create you lyrical phrases

Organize

Example of a Free Verse

Song of Myselfby

Walt WhitmanI celebrate myself, and sing myself,And what I assume you shall assume,

For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.

I loaf and invite my soul,I lean and loaf at my ease observing a spear of

summer grass.Click the following link for the full version of

"Song of Myself".

References

Types of poetry. (2007). [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.types-of-poetry.org.uk/24-free-verse.htm

Playing with poetry. (2005). [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.edu.pe.ca/stjean/playing%20with%20poetry/index.htm