Ask a poet why they chose the 14-line poetry structure instead of three, or why a poem trails down the page like water instead of sitting in a tidy block. The answer will always be a variation of “the poem demanded it.”
Poetry structure is less about forcing a poem into a specific form and more about using the form the poem calls for. Choosing the structure of a poem is part of the writing process. Everything from the amount of syllables in a line to the shape of the lines on the page work alongside the carefully chosen words to tell the story and convey the meaning.
What Is Poetry Structure?
Structure is how a poem is built. Line length, stanza breaks, rhyme scheme, meter, syllable count, even the white space around the words, all of these elements build the structure of a poem. While there are set structures creating various types of poems, such as sonnets or haikus, there’s no prescribed structure poems must take.
Some poets choose a form first and write their poem to fit it. Others draft freely and let the poem reveal the structure once it hits the page. Neither approach is more legitimate than the other because there is no “right way” to write a poem. Structure isn’t a cage. It’s a frame that makes the picture inside it easier to see.
6 Poetic Structures Every Poet Should Try
Shakespeare is known for his sonnets. Matsuo Bashō is known for his haikus. Most elementary students are acrostic poem masters. Most people are familiar enough with a handful of poetic structures that they can identify a poem as a poem. As a poet, though, it’s important to know the elements that make up these poetry forms so you can use them thoughtfully in your own writing.
Here are the poetry forms you’ll run into again and again, whether you’re reading or writing poetry.
1. Free Verse
No fixed rhyme scheme or required meter. No rules about line length. Free verse poetry is just that, free to follow the natural rhythm of speech and thought. It’s the most common poetry structure of modern and contemporary poetry because it lacks a formula.
The content of the poem dictates the shape. This means free verse poetry can be written as a paragraph, a run-on sentence, a collection of lines and stanzas without a pattern, or even words scattered across the page. Free verse isn’t formless but uses form with real intention.
2. Haiku
Used to capture a single moment or a distinct feeling, this traditional Japanese poem is all about precision. This three-line form is built on a struct syllable count for each line: five, seven, five. Each word is carefully chosen to paint the scene and transport the reader.
Traditionally, a haiku doesn’t require a title. They also often include a kireji, or “cutting word” to indicate a pause or conclusion and a turn or juxtaposition in the final line of the poem. When combined, these elements can make even these small poems thought-provoking and emotional.
3. Sonnet
In Sonnet 18, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” Shakespeare made the sonnet famous by asking that simple question, then following it up with thirteen lines of comparison in iambic pentameter. However, not all sonnets follow the Shakespearean form in the same way.
A sonnet is a 14-line poem written in iambic pentameter, five stressed syllables per line. Most sonnets also features a dynamic shift or turn before the end. They also follow a specific rhyme scheme depending on the type of sonnet.
Shakespearean Sonnet – features an ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme
Petarchan Sonnet – features an ABBAABBA octave in the first 8-lines, then an CDCDCD or CDECDE sestet rhyme scheme.
4. Acrostic
When it comes to playful poetry forms, the acrostic is one of the best as there is only one rule to follow and infinite possibilities. This is generally one of the first poetry forms people use as it is often taught to elementary school children.
The only rule of an acrostic is that the first letter of each line spells out a word or phrase when read vertically. What follows can be anything from a profound observation about the world to a humorous take on a person’s name. This form is unique because one constraint gives you a place to start. You know the topic before you write your first line.
5. Shape Poetry
If you are a visual person, then shape poetry, also called a calligram, can add an extra element to your writing. Much like the name suggests, shape poetry is a form where the words are arranged on the page to create an image of something in the poem. For example, a poem about a thunderstorm could have words arranged as if they were falling from the sky like rain.
The shape of the poem isn’t there for aesthetics. Instead it adds to the storytelling aspect of the poem. It is shaped with intention and meaning that goes beyond just being visually appealing. This is another basic poetry structure that is fun to play with, especially if you tend to be a visual thinker.
6. Blackout Poetry
Popular on social media, blackout poetry is a great way to take an existing text and transform it into something new. This poetry form is not only eye-catching, but uniquely creative because the writer doesn’t actually add any words.
Using a previously written text, such as a letter, news article, book excerpt, grocery list, etc, you black out to remove most of the pre-written words. The words left behind form the newly written poem. It’s like mining for poetry inside language that wasn’t written to be poetic. Art hidden within the mundane.
How to Practice a New Poetry Structure
Practicing a new poetry structure might seem intimidating, but like anything new, you have to practice before you become perfect. So, rather than just sticking to the form you’re used to, try to branch out. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you play with a new structure.
- Work one form at a time. Pick a single structure that you find interesting or think might work for your poetry and track down a few examples of it. Notice how different poets write within the same set of rules and how each is unique while still working within the constraints of the form. Then when you try to write your own, imitate the examples. Be a copycat before you break the rules.
- Treat the poem as an experiment. Play around with your writing. Ask “what happens if I try this?” instead of “am I doing this right?” Don’t worry about perfection. Focus on play until you get a feel for the new form.
- Write a response. If you feel stuck, consider writing a response poem to one of the examples you find. Use the same poetry structure and talk about the same topic. You can use similar words, sentence structure or shape so you can get a feel for the form without having to worry about finding something specific to write about.
You don’t have to marry your first poetry structure. Draft a poem in free verse, then try folding it into a haiku. Draft a sonnet, then strip out the rhyme scheme and see what’s left standing. More often than not, the structure that makes a poem hit hardest isn’t the one you expected. For even more ideas, check out our guide to 30+different types of poetry.
