External Structure

Poetry is defined by deliberation. Part of this deliberation is that of shape and line and rhyme as much as sound and words. Here are some ways that the external form of a poem is controlled and used.

Stanzas

1.Terza Rima
2.Spenserian Stanza
3.Ballad Stanza

Traditional Verse Forms

4.Rhyming couplets
5.heroic couplets

Blank verse
free verse

Fixed Forms
6. Haiku: Links to an external site.
A haiku is a short poetic form from Japan characterized by juxtaposition, seasonal imagery, and number of on, which are similar to syllables. The form has been adopted into other languages with a focus on the number of syllables; in English, haiku is a three-line poem with phrases of five, seven, and five syllables, respectively. However, in traditional Japanese haiku the most important element was the juxtaposition between different images with a transition via a “cutting word” (known as kireji in Japanese). This cutting word can change the stream of thought or provide a comparison between the different lines. It is similar to the concept of the volta in the sonnet form, or the audible pause in classical poetry known as the caesura.

I hate writing hai-
ku because you only get
seventeen syllab…

Haiku on Twitter Links to an external site.  also see comments link on the right.
Twitter #haiku Links to an external site.

7.Limerics

8.Villanelle (Do Not Go Gently into that Good Night)

9.Palindrome (Myth) Links to an external site.

10.Sestina (Sestina)

11. Sonnet (How Do I Love Thee?)

The Looks of a Poem

e.e.cummings

13.Concrete Poetry

Like attracts Like Links to an external site.

Examples and article on Concrete Poetry Links to an external site.