i think i'm going to HATE my poetry TA
How NOT to Write a Poem
• Avoid abstractions. If you find yourself using words like "love," "reality," "soul," "truth," "heart," "beauty," try to think about how you can substitute these vague, imprecise concepts for somthing specific and concrete.
• Avoid overusing rhyme. In fact, it's probably best to avoid end-rhymes (lines that end with words that rhyme) altogether, at least until you've mastered some basics of craft (we'll get to this later). On the other hand, off-rhymes (words that sound similar, such as "bridge" and "hedge", or "rage" and "rouge") are strongly encouraged.
• Don't choose a clichéd topic. Unless you're sure you've got some highly original way of handling the subject matter, avoid writing about, for example, falling in love, the death of a loved one, a beautiful sunset, etc. It's extremely hard to be original with these topics because they've been done so many times before.
• Don't use clichés. In your similes and metaphors, especially, stay away from stock-descriptions, phrases you've heard many times over. Be watchful; often we use clichés without even thinking.
• Avoid archaic language. Some people associate words like "thou," and "thee," with being poetic; however, we are working toward writing poetry that is relevant to today. If you write in old-speak, your readers will most likely think you are being pretentious!
• Avoid extreme sentimentality. The poem you write should not read like a diary, although you can, of course, use your journal-writing as fodder. Emotions most definitely have their place in a poem, but over-sentimentality comes off as clichéd, overdramatic--thus emotions must be harnessed by careful attention to language and craft.
• Don't preach. Be subtle with your message, if you have one; no one wants to be hit over the head with an idea or condescended to. Use imagery and tone to convince, not didacticism.
• Don't be experimental for the sake of being experimental. This includes funky, weird punctuation inserted for no reason, as well as random insertions of white space. Such tactics, if they are not backed up by some cohesive vision, will simply alienate your readers.