poetry writing different types

Improve your writing in one of the largest and most successful writing groups online

Join our writing group!

Types of Poetry: The Complete Guide with 28 Examples

by Fija Callaghan

Poetry has been around for almost four thousand years, predating even written language, and it’s still evolving all the time. Let’s explore some of the different types of poems you might come across, including rhymed poetry and free verse poetry, and how experimenting with a poem’s structure can make you a better poet.

Why do the different forms of poetry matter?

Poetic forms are important when we write poems for three main reasons:

1. Forms make poetry easier to remember

At its inception, poetry was used as a way to pass down stories and ideas to new generations. Poetry has been around longer than the written word, but even after people started writing things down, some cultures continued telling stories orally. They did this by telling stories as poems. Using set rhyme schemes, meters, and rhythms made it easier to learn those poems by heart.

2. Form shapes the rhythm and sound of a poem

Using poetic structure helps shape the way a poem will sound when it’s spoken out loud. Even though most of our poetry today is written down, it’s still heard at live performances, and we’ll often “hear” a poem in our head as we’re reading it. Different types of poetry will have different auditory moods and rhythms, which contributes to the overall emotional effect.

3. Form challenges our use of language

As writers, we always want to be challenging ourselves to use words in new and exciting ways. Using the constraints of formal poetry is a great way to stretch our imagination and come up with new ideas. The story theorist Robert McKee calls this “creative limitation.” By imposing limits on what we can do, we’ll instinctively look for ever more creative and imaginative ways to use the limited space that we’re given.

Free verse poetry vs. rhymed poetry

These days, rhymed poetry has fallen out of vogue with contemporary poets, though it still has its champions. In the early 20th century free verse, or free form, poetry was embraced for its fluid, conversational qualities, and dominates the poetic landscape today. It became popular in part because it feels less like a performance and more like you’re talking directly to the reader.

Rhymed poetry, on the other hand, is great for getting a message across to the reader or listener. Most pop songs today are, at least in part, rhymed poetry—that’s why we remember them and find ourselves mulling over the lyrics days later.

We’ll look more at different types of free verse poetry and rhymed poetry, and you can see which ones work best for you.

27 Types of Poetry

You might recognize some of these types of poems from reading poetry like them in school (Edgar Allan Poe, William Shakespeare, and Walt Whitman are all names you’ve probably come across in English class!) Others might be new to you. Once you know a little bit more about these common forms (and some less common ones), you can even enjoy writing some of your own!

A haiku is a traditional cornerstone of Japanese poetry with no set rhyme scheme, but a specific shape: three lines composed of five syllables in the first line, seven in the second line, and five in the third line.

Occasionally, some traditional Japanese haiku won’t fit this format because the syllables change when they’re translated into English; but when you’re writing your own haiku poem in your native language, you should try to adhere to this structure.

Haiku poems are often explorations of the natural world, but they can be about anything you like. They’re deceptively simple ideas with a lot of poignancy under the surface.

Here’s an example of a haiku poem, “Over the Wintry” by Natsume Sōseki:

Over the wintry Forest, winds howl in rage With no leaves to blow.

Learn more about writing your own haiku poetry in our dedicated Academy article.

2. Limerick

A limerick is a short, famous poetic form consisting of five lines that follow the rhyme form AABBA. Usually these are quite funny and tell a story. The first two lines should have eight or nine syllables each, the third and fourth lines should have five or six syllables each, and the final line eight or nine syllables again.

Limericks are great learning devices for children because their rhythm makes them so easy to remember. Here’s a fun example of a limerick, “There Was A Small Boy Of Quebec” by Rudyard Kipling:

There was a small boy of Quebec, Who was buried in snow to his neck; When they said, “Are you friz?” He replied, “Yes, I is— But we don’t call this cold in Quebec.”

3. Clerihew

Clerihews are a little bit like limericks in that they’re short, funny, and often satirical. A clerihew is made up of four lines (or several four-line stanzas) with the rhyme scheme AABB, and the first line of the stanza must be a person’s name.

This poetry type is great for helping people remember things (or enacting some good-natured revenge). Here’s a famous example, “Sir Humphrey Davy” by Edmund Clerihew Bentley, the inventor of the eponymous clarihew:

Sir Humphrey Davy Abominated gravy. He lived in the odium Of having discovered sodium.

4. Cinquain

A cinquain is a five-line poem consisting of twenty-two syllables: two in the first line, then four, then six, then eight, and then two syllables again in the last line. These are deceptively simple poems with a lovely musicality that make the writer think hard about the perfect word choices.

Here’s an example of a cinquain poem, “November Night” by Adelaide Crapsey:

Listen… With faint dry sound, Like steps of passing ghosts, The leaves, frost-crisp’d, break from the trees And fall.

A triolet is a traditional French single-stanza poem of eight lines with a rhyme scheme of ABAAABAB; however, it only consists of five unique lines. The first line is repeated as the fourth and seventh line, and the second line is repeated as the very last line. Although simple, a well-written triolet will bring new depth and meaning to the repeated lines each time. Here’s an example of a classic triolet poem, “How Great My Grief” by Thomas Hardy:

How great my grief, my joys how few, Since first it was my fate to know thee! Have the slow years not brought to view How great my grief, my joys how few, Nor memory shaped old times anew, Nor loving-kindness helped to show thee How great my grief, my joys how few, Since first it was my fate to know thee?

A dizain is another traditional form made up of just one ten-line stanza, and with each line having ten syllables (that’s an even hundred in total). The rhyme scheme for a dizain is ABABBCCDCD. This poetry type was a favorite of French poets in the 15th and 16th century, and many English poets adapted it into larger works. Here’s an great example of a dizain poem, “Names” by Brad Osborne:

If true that a rose by another name Holds in its fine form fragrance just as sweet If vivid beauty remains just the same And if other qualities are replete With the things that make a rose so complete Why bother giving anything a name Then on whom may I place deserved blame When new people’s names I cannot recall There seems to be an underlying shame So why do we bother with names at all

A sonnet is a lyric poem that always has fourteen lines. The oldest type of sonnet is the Italian or Petrarchan sonnet, which is broken into two stanzas of eight lines and six lines. The first stanza has a consistent rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA and the second stanza has a rhyme scheme of either CDECDE or CDCDCD.

Later on, an ambitious bloke by the name of William Shakespeare developed the English sonnet (which later came to be known as the Shakespearean sonnet). It still has fourteen lines, but the rhyme scheme is different and it uses a rhythm called iambic pentameter. It has four distinctive parts, which might be separate stanzas or they might be all linked together. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

William Shakespeare is famous for using iambic pentameter in his sonnets, but you can experiment with different rhythms and see what works best for you. Here’s one of his most famous sonnets, Sonnet 18:

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date: Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimm’d; And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance, or nature’s changing course, untrimm’d; But thy eternal summer shall not fade Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st; Nor shall Death brag thou wander’st in his shade, When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st; So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

8. Blank verse

Blank verse is a type of poetry that’s written in a precise meter, usually iambic pentameter, but without rhyme. This is reminiscent of Shakespearean sonnets and many of his plays, but it reflects a movement that puts rhythm above rhyme.

Though each line of blank verse must be ten syllables, there’s no restriction on the amount of lines or individual stanzas. Here’s an excerpt from a poem in blank verse, the first stanza of “Frost at Midnight” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge:

The Frost performs its secret ministry, Unhelped by any wind. The owlet’s cry Came loud—and hark, again! loud as before. The inmates of my cottage, all at rest, Have left me to that solitude, which suits Abstruser musings: save that at my side My cradled infant slumbers peacefully. ’Tis calm indeed! so calm, that it disturbs And vexes meditation with its strange And extreme silentness. Sea, hill, and wood, This populous village! Sea, and hill, and wood, With all the numberless goings-on of life, Inaudible as dreams! the thin blue flame Lies on my low-burnt fire, and quivers not; Only that film, which fluttered on the grate

9. Villanelle

A villanelle is a type of French poem made up of nineteen lines grouped into six separate stanzas. The first five stanzas have three lines each, and the last stanza has four lines. Each three-line stanza rhymes ABA, and the last one ABAA.

Villanelles tend to feature a lot of repetition, which lends them a musical quality; usually the very first and third lines become the alternating last lines of each following stanza. This can be a bit like putting a puzzle together. Here’s an example to show you how it looks: “My Darling Turns to Poetry at Night,” a famous villanelle by Anthony Lawrence:

My darling turns to poetry at night. What began as flirtation, an aside Between abstract expression and first light Now finds form as a silent, startled flight Of commas on her face—a breath, a word… My darling turns to poetry at night. When rain inspires the night birds to create Rhyme and formal verse, stanzas can be made Between abstract expression and first light. Her heartbeat is a metaphor, a late Bloom of red flowers that refuse to fade. My darling turns to poetry at night. I watch her turn. I do not sleep. I wait For symbols, for a sign that fear has died Between abstract expression and first light. Her dreams have night vision, and in her sight Our bodies leave ghostprints on the bed. My darling turns to poetry at night Between abstract expression and first light.

10. Paradelle

The paradelle is a complex and demanding variation of the villanelle, developed in France in the 11th century… except it wasn’t. It was, in fact, a hoax developed in the 20th century that got drastically out of hand. The American poet Billy Collins invented the paradelle as a satire of the popular villanelle and, like many happy accidents, the paradelle was embraced as a welcome challenge and is now part of contemporary poetry’s repertoire.

A paradelle is composed of four six-line stanzas. In each of the first three stanzas, the first two lines must be the same, the second two lines must be the same, and the final two lines must contain every word from the first and third lines, and only those words, rearranged in a new order. The fourth and final stanza must contain every word from the fifth and sixth lines of the first three stanzas, and only those words, again rearranged in a new order.

11th-century relic or not, this poetry form is a great exercise for playing with words. Here’s an excerpt from the original paradelle that started it all, the first stanzas of “Paradelle for Susan” by Billy Collins:

I remember the quick, nervous bird of your love. I remember the quick, nervous bird of your love. Always perched on the thinnest highest branch. Always perched on the thinnest highest branch. Thinnest love, remember the quick branch. Always nervous, I perched on you highest bird the. It is time for me to cross the mountain. It is time for me to cross the mountain. And find another shore to darken with my pain. And find another shore to darken with my pain. Another pain for me to darken the mountain. And find the time, cross my shore, to with it is to. The weather warm, the handwriting familiar. The weather warm, the handwriting familiar. Your letter flies from my hand into the waters below. Your letter flies from my hand into the waters below. The familiar water below my warm hand. Into handwriting your weather flies you letter the from the. I always cross the highest letter, the thinnest bird. Below the waters of my warm familiar pain, Another hand to remember your handwriting. The weather perched for me on the shore. Quick, your nervous branch flew from love. Darken the mountain, time and find was my into it was with to to.

11. Sestina

A sestina is a complex French poetry form (a real one, this time) composed of thirty-nine lines in seven stanzas—six stanzas of six lines each, and one stanza of three lines. Each word at the end of each line in the first stanza then gets repeated at the end of each line in each following stanza, but in a different order.

Some poets use favorite metres or rhyme schemes in their sestina poems, but you don’t have to. The classic form of a sestina is:

First stanza: ABCDEF; each letter represents the word at the end of each line.

Second stanza: FAEBDC

Third stanza: CFDABE

Fourth stanza: ECBFAD

Fifth stanza: DEACFB

Sixth stanza: BDFECA

Seventh stanza: ACE or ECA

Here’s an excerpt from a modern example of a sestina, the first stanzas of “A Miracle For Breakfast” by Elizabeth Bishop. Looking at the first two stanzas, you can see that the repeated end words match the mixed-up letter guide above.

At six o’clock we were waiting for coffee, waiting for coffee and the charitable crumb that was going to be served from a certain balcony like kings of old, or like a miracle. It was still dark. One foot of the sun steadied itself on a long ripple in the river. The first ferry of the day had just crossed the river. It was so cold we hoped that the coffee would be very hot, seeing that the sun was not going to warm us; and that the crumb would be a loaf each, buttered, by a miracle. At seven a man stepped out on the balcony.

A rondel is a French type of poetry made of three stanzas: the first two are four lines long, and the third is five or six lines long. The first two lines of the poems are refrains which are repeated as the last two lines of the following two stanzas—although sometimes the poet will choose only one line to repeat at the very last line.

Rondels usually use a ABBA ABAB ABBAA rhyme scheme, but they can be written in any meter. Here’s an example of a traditional rondel poem, “The Wanderer” by Henry Austin Dobson:

Love comes back to his vacant dwelling— The old, old Love that we knew of yore! We see him stand by the open door, With his great eyes sad, and his bosom swelling. He makes as though in our arms repelling, He fain would lie as he lay before;— Love comes back to his vacant dwelling, The old, old Love that we knew of yore! Ah, who shall help us from over-spelling That sweet, forgotten, forbidden lore! E’en as we doubt in our heart once more, With a rush of tears to our eyelids welling, Love comes back to his vacant dwelling.

A ghazal is an old Arabic poetry form consisting of at least ten lines, but no more than thirty, all written in two-line stanzas called couplets. The first two lines of a ghazal end with the same word, but the words just preceding the last lines will rhyme. From this point on, the second line of each couplet will have the same last word, and the word just before it will rhyme with the others.

Ghazals are traditionally a poem of love and longing, but they can be written about any feeling or idea. Here’s an excerpt from a ghazal poem, the first stanzas of “Ghazal of the Better-Unbegun” by Heather McHugh:

Too volatile, am I? too voluble? too much a word-person? I blame the soup: I’m a primordially stirred person. Two pronouns and a vehicle was Icarus with wings. The apparatus of his selves made an absurd person. The sound I make is sympathy’s: sad dogs are tied afar. But howling I become an ever more unheard person.

14. Golden shovel

A golden shovel poem is a more recent poetry form that was developed by poet Terrance Hayes and inspired by Gwendolyn Brooks. Though it’s much newer than many of the types of poetry on this list, it has been enthusiastically embraced in contemporary poetry.

It’s a bit like an acrostic-style poem in that it hides a secret message: the last word of every line of a golden shovel poem is a word from another poem’s title or line, or a saying or headline you want to work with.

For example, if you want to write a golden shovel poem about the line, “dead men tell no tales,” the first line of your poem would end in “dead,” the second line in “men,” and so on until you can read your entire message along the right-hand side of the poem.

Here’s an excerpt from Terrance Hayes’s poem that started the golden shovel trend:

When I am so small Da’s sock covers my arm, we cruise at twilight until we find the place the real men lean, bloodshot and translucent with cool. His smile is a gold-plated incantation as we drift by women on bar stools, with nothing left in them but approachlessness. This is a school I do not know yet. But the cue sticks mean we are rubbed by light, smooth as wood, the lurk of smoke thinned to song. We won’t be out late.

15. Palindrome

Palindrome poems, also called “mirror poems,” are poems that begin repeating backwards halfway through, so that the first line and the last line are the same, the second line and the second-to-last line are the same, and so on.

They’re a challenging yet fun way to show two sides of the same story. Here’s an example of a palindrome poem, “On Reflection” by Kristin Bock:

Far from the din of the articulated world, I wanted to be content in an empty room— a barn on the hillside like a bone, a limbo of afternoons strung together like cardboard boxes, to be free of your image— crown of bees, pail of black water staggering through the pitiful corn. I can’t always see through it. The mind is a pond layered in lilies. The mind is a pond layered in lilies. I can’t always see through it staggering through the pitiful corn. Crown of Bees, Pail of Black Water, to be of your image— a limbo of afternoons strung together like cardboard boxes, a barn on the hillside like a bone. I wanted to be content in an empty room far from the din of the articulated world.

An ode is a poetic form of celebration used to honor a person, thing, or idea. They’re often overflowing with intense emotion and powerful imagery.

Odes can be used in conjunction with formal meters and rhyme schemes, but they don’t have to be; often poets will favor internal rhymes instead, to give their ode a sense of rhythm.

This is a more open-ended poetry type you can use to show your appreciation for something or someone. Here’s an excerpt from one of the most famous and beautiful odes, written in celebration of autumn: “To Autumn” by John Keats:

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run; To bend with apples the mossed cottage-trees, And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core; To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells With a sweet kernel; to set budding more, And still more, later flowers for the bees, Until they think warm days will never cease, For Summer has o’er-brimmed their clammy cells.

An elegy is similar to an ode in that it celebrates a person or idea, but in this instance is the poem centers around something that has died or been lost.

There’s a tradition among poets to write elegies for one another once another poet has died. Sometimes these are obvious memoriams of a deceased person, and other times the true meaning will be hidden behind layers of symbolism and metaphor.

Like the ode, there’s no formal meter or rhyme scheme in an elegy, though you can certainly experiment with using them.

Here’s an excerpt of an elegy written by one poet for another, “In Memory of W. B. Yeats” by W. H. Auden:

He disappeared in the dead of winter: The brooks were frozen, the airports almost deserted, And snow disfigured the public statues; The mercury sank in the mouth of the dying day. What instruments we have agree The day of his death was a dark cold day. Far from his illness The wolves ran on through the evergreen forests, The peasant river was untempted by the fashionable quays; By mourning tongues The death of the poet was kept from his poems.

18. Ekphrasis

Ekphrastic poetry is a little bit like an ode, as it is also written in celebration of something. Ekphrasis, however, is very specific as it’s used to draw attention to a work of art—usually visual art, but it could be something like a song or a work of fiction too. Sometimes ekphrastic poems and odes can overlap, like in John Keats’ “Ode to a Grecian Urn”—an ekphrastic ode.

Ekphrastic poems are most often written about paintings, but it can also be about sculptures, dance, or even theatrical performances.

Ekphrasis has no set meter or rhyme scheme, but some poets like to use them. Here’s an excerpt from an ekphrastic poem, “The Starry Night” by Anne Sexton, in celebration of Van Gogh’s painting:

The town does not exist except where one black-haired tree slips up like a drowned woman into the hot sky. The town is silent. The night boils with eleven stars. Oh starry starry night! This is how I want to die. It moves. They are all alive. Even the moon bulges in its orange irons to push children, like a god, from its eye. The old unseen serpent swallows up the stars. Oh starry starry night! This is how I want to die.

19. Pastoral

Pastoral poetry can take any meter or rhyme scheme, but it focuses on the beauty of nature. These poems draw attention to idyllic settings and romanticize the idea of shepherds and agriculture laborers living in harmony with the natural world.

Often these traditional pastoral poems carry a religious overtone, suggesting that by bringing oneself closer to nature they were also becoming closer to their spirituality. They can be written in free verse, or in poetic structure. Here’s an excerpt from a famous pastoral poem, “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” by Christopher Marlowe:

Come live with me and be my love, And we will all the pleasures prove That valleys, groves, hills, and fields, Woods, or steepy mountain yields. And we will sit upon the rocks, Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks, By shallow rivers to whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.

An epic poem is a grand, overarching story written in verse—they’re the novels of the poetry world. This is sometimes called ballad poetry, or narrative poetry. Before stories were written as novels and short stories and then, later, screenplays, all of our classic tales would be written as a narrative poem.

Experimenting with epic poems, such as writing a short story all in verse, is a great way to give your writer’s muscles a workout. These don’t have a specific rhyme scheme or metre, although many classic epic poems do use them to give a sense of rhythm and unity to the piece.

Here’s an excerpt from one of our oldest surviving epic poems, “Beowulf,” translated from old English by Frances B. Gummere:

Lo, praise of the prowess of people-kings of spear-armed Danes, in days long sped, we have heard, and what honor the athelings won! Oft Scyld the Scefing from squadroned foes, from many a tribe, the mead-bench tore, awing the earls. Since erst he lay friendless, a foundling, fate repaid him: for he waxed under welkin, in wealth he throve, till before him the folk, both far and near, who house by the whale-path, heard his mandate, gave him gifts: a good king he!

(Irish poet Seamus Heaney has also completed an even more modern translation for the layperson.)

A ballad is similar to an epic in that it tells a story, but it’s much shorter and a bit more structured. This poetry form is made up of four-line stanzas (as many as are needed to tell the story) with a rhyme scheme of ABCB.

Ballads were originally meant to be set to music, which is where we get the idea of our slow, sultry love song ballads today. A lot of traditional ballads are all in dialogue, where two characters are speaking back and forth.

Here’s an excerpt from a traditional ballad poem, “La Belle Dame sans Merci” by John Keats:

O what can ail thee, knight-at-arms, Alone and palely loitering? The sedge has withered from the lake, And no birds sing. O what can ail thee, knight-at-arms, So haggard and so woe-begone? The squirrel’s granary is full, And the harvest’s done.

22. Acrostic

In acrostic poems, certain letters of each line spell out a word or message. Usually the letters that spell the message will be the first letter of each line, so that you can read the secret word right down the margin; however, you can also use the letters at the end or down the middle of the lines to hide a secret message. Acrostic poems are especially popular with children and are sometimes called “name poems.”

Here’s an example of an acrostic poem, “A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky” by Lewis Carroll. The first letter of each line spells out “Alice Pleasance Liddell,” who was a young friend of Carroll’s and the inspiration behind Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland .

A boat beneath a sunny sky, L ingering onward dreamily I n an evening of July— C hildren three that nestle near, E ager eye and willing ear, P leased a simple tale to hear— L ong has paled that sunny sky: E choes fade and memories die: A utumn frosts have slain July. S till she haunts me, phantomwise, A lice moving under skies N ever seen by waking eyes. C hildren yet, the tale to hear, E ager eye and willing ear, L ovingly shall nestle near. I n a Wonderland they lie, D reaming as the days go by, D reaming as the summers die: E ver drifting down the stream— L ingering in the golden gleam— L ife, what is it but a dream?

23. Concrete

A concrete poem, sometimes called a shape poem, is a visual poem structure where the shape of the poem resembles its content or message. These are another favorite with children, although they can be used to communicate powerful adult ideas, too.

When writing concrete poetry, you can experiment with different fonts, sizes, and even colors to create your visual poem. Here’s an example of a concrete poem, “Sonnet in the Shape of a Potted Christmas Tree” by George Starbuck:

* O fury- bedecked! O glitter-torn! Let the wild wind erect bonbonbonanzas; junipers affect frostyfreeze turbans; iciclestuff adorn all cuckolded creation in a madcap crown of horn! It’s a new day; no scapegrace of a sect tidying up the ashtrays playing Daughter-in-Law Elect; bells! bibelots! popsicle cigars! shatter the glassware! a son born now now while ox and ass and infant lie together as poor creatures will and tears of her exertion still cling in the spent girl’s eye and a great firework in the sky drifts to the western hill.

24. Prose poem

A prose poem combines elements of both prose writing and poetry into something new. Prose poems don’t have shape and line breaks in the way that traditional poems do, but they make use of poetic devices like meter, internal rhyme, alliteration, metaphor, imagery, and symbolism to create a snapshot of prose that reads and feels like a poem.

Here’s an example of a prose poem, “Be Drunk” by Charles Baudelaire:

You have to be always drunk. That’s all there is to it—it’s the only way. So as not to feel the horrible burden of time that breaks your back and bends you to the earth, you have to be continually drunk. But on what? Wine, poetry or virtue, as you wish. But be drunk. And if sometimes, on the steps of a palace or the green grass of a ditch, in the mournful solitude of your room, you wake again, drunkenness already diminishing or gone, ask the wind, the wave, the star, the bird, the clock, everything that is flying, everything that is groaning, everything that is rolling, everything that is singing, everything that is speaking… ask what time it is and wind, wave, star, bird, clock will answer you: “It is time to be drunk! So as not to be the martyred slaves of time, be drunk, be continually drunk! On wine, on poetry or on virtue as you wish.”

25. Found poetry

Found poetry is a poem made up of a composite of external quotations. This may be from poems, beloved works of literature, newspaper articles, instruction manuals, or political manifestos. You can copy out pieces of text, or you can cut out different words to make a visual collage effect.

Another form of found poetry is blackout poetry, where words are crossed out and removed from an external source to create a new meaning.

These can be a great way to find new or contrasting meaning in everyday life, but always be sure to reference what sources your poem came from originally to avoid plagiarism. Here’s an example of a found poem, “Testimony” by Charles Reznikoff, cut up from law reports between 1885 and 1915:

Amelia was just fourteen and out of the orphan asylum; at her first job—in the bindery, and yes sir, yes ma’am, oh, so anxious to please. She stood at the table, her blond hair hanging about her shoulders, “knocking up” for Mary and Sadie, the stichers (“knocking up” is counting books and stacking them in piles to be taken away).

A nonce poem is a DIY poem structure intended for one-time use to challenge yourself as a writer, or just to try something new. It’s a formal, rigid, standardized poetry form that’s brand new to the world.

For example, you might say, “I’m going to write a poem starting with a three-line stanza, then two four-line stanzas, then another three-line stanza, and each line is going to be eight syllables except the first and last line of the poem which are each going to have eleven syllables, and the last word of every stanza will be true rhymes and the first word of every stanza will be slant rhymes.” And then you do it, just to see if you can.

Nonce poems are a great way to stretch your creativity and language skills to their limit. Then, like Terrance Hayes’s “Golden Shovel,” or Billy Collins’ “Paradelle,” your nonce poem might even catch on! Here’s an excerpt from a nonce poem, “And If I Did, What Then?” by George Gascoigne:

Are you aggriev’d therefore? The sea hath fish for every man, And what would you have more?” Thus did my mistress once, Amaze my mind with doubt; And popp’d a question for the nonce To beat my brains about.

27. Free verse

Free verse is the type of poetry most favored by contemporary poets; it has no set meter, rhyme scheme, or structure, but allows the poet to feel out the content of the poem as they go.

Poets will often still use rhythmic literary devices such as assonance and internal rhymes, but it won’t be bound up with the same creative restraints as more structured poetry. However, even poets that work solely in free verse will usually argue that it’s beneficial to first work up your mastery of language through exercises in more structured poetry forms.

Here’s an example of a poem in free verse, an excerpt from “On Turning Ten,” by Billy Collins:

The whole idea of it makes me feel like I’m coming down with something, something worse than any stomach ache or the headaches I get from reading in bad light— a kind of measles of the spirit, a mumps of the psyche, a disfiguring chicken pox of the soul.

3 ways poem structure will make you a better writer

Maybe you’ve fallen in love with formal rhymed poetry, or maybe you think that for you, free verse is the way to go. Either way, it’s good training for a writer to experiment with poetry structure for a few different reasons.

1. Using poetic form will teach you about poetic devices

Using poetic form will open up your world to a huge range of useful poetic devices like assonance, chiasmus, and epistrophe, as well as broader overarching ideas like metaphor, imagery, and symbolism. We talk about these poetic devices a lot in poetry forms, but just about all of them can be used effectively in prose writing, too!

Paying attention to poetic form takes your mastery of language to a whole new level. Then you can take this skill set and apply it to your writing in a whole range of mediums.

2. Writing poems with structure teaches you how to use rhythm

Rhythm is one of the core concepts of all poetry. Rhymes and formal meter are two ways to capture rhythm in your poems, but even in free verse poetry that lacks a formal poetic structure, the key to good poetry is a smooth and addictive rhythm that makes you feel the words in your bones.

Once you start experimenting with poetry forms, you’ll find that you’ll develop an inner ear for the rhythm of language. This rhythmic sense translates into beautiful sentence structure and cadence in other types of writing, from short stories and novels, to marketing copy, to comic books. Rhythm is what makes your words a joy to read.

3. Formal poetry helps you increase your vocabulary and refine your word choice

No matter what you’re writing, specificity is a game changer when it comes to getting a point across to your reader. With the English language being well-populated with nice, easy syllables, many new writers fall into the bad habit of choosing words that are just kind of okay, instead of the exact right word for that moment.

Writing formal poetry forces you to not only expand your vocabulary to find the right word to fit the rhyme scheme or rhythm, but to weigh each word and examine it from all angles before awarding it a place in your poem. This way, when you move into other forms of writing, you’ll carry good habits and a deep respect for language into your work.

Start writing different types of poetry

Learning about different types of poems for the first time can be a bit like opening a floodgate into a whole new way of living. Whether you prefer free verse poetry, lyric poetry, romantic Shakespearean sonnets, short philosophical haiku, or even coming up with your own nonce poetry structure, you’ll find that writing poetry challenges your writer’s muscles in ways you never would have expected. Next time you’re in a creative rut, trying experimenting with poetry forms to get the words flowing in a whole new way.

Get feedback on your writing today!

Scribophile is a community of hundreds of thousands of writers from all over the world. Meet beta readers, get feedback on your writing, and become a better writer!

Join now for free

Related articles

Short Story Submissions: How to Publish a Short Story or Poem

How to Write a Haiku (With Haiku Examples)

Poetic Devices List: 27 Main Poetic Devices with Examples

12 Types of Poems: How to Recognize Them and Write Your Own

by Kaelyn Barron | 157 comments

Writing good poetry can be incredibly challenging, and sometimes just trying to understand it can be tiresome. But if you think writing poetry requires a minor in rocket science, think again.

There are so many different types of poems, and many have very few rules. All you have to do is select a style that appeals to you and let your creativity flow!

12 Different Types of Poems

Below is a list of some of the most common types of poetry, their main characteristics, and famous examples of each.

You may prefer to read certain types of poems, while for other types you may enjoy writing your own! Familiarize yourself with these different styles and see if any spark your imagination.

Sonnets are practically synonymous with Shakespeare, but there are actually two different kinds of this famous poetic form. Having originated in 13 th century Italy, the sonnet usually deals with love and has two common forms: the Petrarchan (named for its famous practitioner, the poet Petrarch) and the Shakespearean (also known as the English sonnet). Each type contains 14 lines but comes with its own set of rules.

Petrarchan Sonnet

Characteristics and Rules:

• Presents an argument, observation, or question in the first 8 lines
• Turn (or “volta”) between 8 th and 9 th lines
• Second stanza answers the question or issue posed in the first
• Rhyme Scheme: ABBA, ABBA, CDECDE

Shakespearean Sonnet

• 3 quatrains (4 lines each) and a couplet (2 lines)
• Couplet usually forms a conclusion
• Rhyme scheme: ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GG

Example of a Sonnet

Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130

My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips’ red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damask’d, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks; And in some perfumes is there more delight Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. I love to hear her speak, yet well I know That music hath a far more pleasing sound; I grant I never saw a goddess go; My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground: And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare.

2. Villanelle

Villanelles have even more specific rules than sonnets. Luckily, many of the lines are repetitions, but this means you’ll have to take care to make those lines meaningful.

Villanelle Characteristics and Rules

• 5 stanzas of 3 lines each
• 1 closing stanza of 4 lines
• Rhyme scheme: ABA, ABA, ABA, ABA, ABA, ABAA
• Line 1 repeats in lines 6, 12, and 18
• Line 3 repeats in lines 9, 15, and 19

Examples of Villanelles

• “The Waking” by Theodore Roethke
• “Do not go gentle into that good night” by Dylan Thomas

You might remember writing a few of these back in grade school, because not only are these poems short, but they can be very fun to write.

The haiku originated in 17 th century Japan. Although they usually refer to nature, the only real rule applies to the number of syllables in each line, so you can let your imagination run wild with this one.

Haiku Characteristics and Rules

• Line 1 contains 5 syllables
• Line 2 contains 7 syllables
• Line 3 contains 5 syllables

Example of Haiku

Matsuo Bashō, “By the Old Temple”:

By the old temple, peach blossoms; a man treading rice.

4. Ekphrastic Poems

Ekphrastic poems don’t really have specific rules, but they do speak of another work of art.

Ekphrasis comes from the Greek word for “description,” and that’s exactly what this poem should do: vividly describe a painting, statue, photograph, or story. One famous example is found in the Iliad, where Homer refers to Achilles’ shield.

Examples of Ekphrastic Poetry

• Tyehimba Jess, “Hagar in the Wilderness”
• Rebecca Wolff, “Ekphrastic”

5. Concrete Poems

Concrete poetry is designed to take a particular shape or form on the page. Poets can manipulate spacing or layout to emphasize a theme or important element in the text, or sometimes they can take the literal shape of their subjects.

Example of Concrete Poetry

“The Altar” by George Herbert was intended to resemble a church altar:

A broken ALTAR, Lord, thy servant rears, Made of a heart and cemented with tears; Whose parts are as thy hand did frame; No workman’s tool hath touch’d the same. A HEART alone Is such a stone, As nothing but Thy pow’r doth cut. Wherefore each part Of my hard heart Meets in this frame To praise thy name. That if I chance to hold my peace, These stones to praise thee may not cease. Oh, let thy blessed SACRIFICE be mine, And sanctify this ALTAR to be thine.

The elegy is another type of poem that lacks particular rules, but it usually is written in mourning following a death. They can be written for a particular person, or treat the subject of loss more generally.

Example of an Elegy

One famous example of an elegy is Walt Whitman’s “O Captain, My Captain,” which Whitman wrote following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln:

O Captain! My Captain! rise up and hear the bells; Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills; For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding; For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning; Here captain! dear father! This arm beneath your head; It is some dream that on the deck, You’ve fallen cold and dead.

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still; My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will; The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done; From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won; Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells! But I, with mournful tread, Walk the deck my captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.

Epigrams are short, witty, and often satirical poems that usually take the form of a couplet or quatrain (2-4 lines in length).

Example of an Epigram

An example of this wit is provided by Samuel Taylor Coleridge:

Sir, I admit your general rule, That every poet is a fool, But you yourself may serve to show it, That every fool is not a poet.

Epigrams are not exclusive to poetry. They are also commonly used as literary devices and in speeches. John F. Kennedy’s famous quote, “Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind” is one such example.

8. Limerick

Limericks are humorous poems that have a more distinct rhythm. Their subject matter is sometimes crude, but always designed to offer laughs.

Limerick Characteristics and Rules

• 5 lines • 2 longer lines (usually 7-10 syllables) • 2 shorter lines (usually 5-7 syllables) • 1 closing line to bring the joke home (7-10 syllables) • Rhyme scheme: AABBA

Examples of Limericks

There once was an old man of Nantucket Who kept all his cash in a bucket His daughter, called Nan, Ran away with a man, And as for the bucket, Nantucket.

A wonderful bird is the pelican, His bill can hold more than his beli-can. He can take in his beak Food enough for a week But I’m damned if I see how the heli-can.

—Dixon Lanier Merritt

Ballads usually take a narrative form to tell us stories. They are often arranged in quatrains, but the form is loose enough that writers can easily modify it.

Ballad Characteristics and Rules

• Typically arranged in groups of 4 lines • Rhyme scheme: ABAB or ABCB

Examples of Ballads

“Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe (first two stanzas):

It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of Annabel Lee; And this maiden she lived with no other thought Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child, In this kingdom by the sea, But we loved with a love that was more than love— I and my Annabel Lee— With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven Coveted her and me.

Some songs fit the ballad definition and have been passed down today. See this excerpt from the Irish ballad “Danny Boy”:

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen to glen, and down the mountain side The summer’s gone, and all the flowers are dying ‘Tis you, ‘tis you must go and I must bide.

10. Epitaph

An epitaph is much like an elegy, only shorter. Epitaphs commonly appear on gravestones, but they can also be humorous. There are no specific rules for epitaphs or their rhyme schemes.

Examples of Epitaphs

From William Shakespeare’s gravestone:

Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare, To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves by bones.

“Epitaph” by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Heap not on this mound Roses that she loved so well: Why bewilder her with roses, That she cannot see or smell?

She is happy where she lies With the dust upon her eyes.

Odes address a specific person, thing, or event. The ode is believed to have been invented by the ancient Greeks, who would sing their odes. Modern odes follow an irregular pattern and are not required to rhyme.

Example of an Ode

“Ode to the West Wind” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Scatter, as from an unextinguish’d hearth Ashes and sparks, my words among mankind! Be through my lips to unawaken’d earth The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?

12. Free Verse

Free verse is exactly what its name implies. There are no rules, and writers can do whatever they choose: to rhyme or not, to establish any rhythm. Free verse is often used in contemporary poetry.

Example of a Free Verse Poem

“A Noiseless Patient Spider” by Walt Whitman

A noiseless patient spider, I mark’d where on a little promontory it stood isolated, Mark’d how to explore the vacant vast surrounding, It launch’d forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself, Ever unreeling them, ever tirelessly speeding them.

And you O my soul where you stand, Surrounded, detached, in measureless oceans of space, Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing, seeking the spheres to connect them, Till the bridge you will need be form’d, till the ductile anchor hold, Till the gossamer thread you fling catch somewhere, O my soul.

Tips for Writing Poetry

Still need a little extra nudge to get started? There’s no better way to learn than by reading some great poetry.

You can also check out our post on how to write a poem  so you can get inspired to start writing.

Do you have a favorite poem? Feel free to share it with us in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:

• 10 Ways to Write Better Poetry
• How to Publish a Poem: 3 Ways to Become a Published Poet
• How to Make Money Selling Poetry
• 181 Best Literary Magazines: A Directory for Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story Publications

As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.

157 Comments

You threw your water bottle at me It hit me in the face

at least the bottle was empty but it left a mark, it left a trace

I didn’t say a word I turned around and left

I took your bottle with me you can call it petty theft

I sat down in the garden and allowed myself to cry

Should I fight back? Should I even try?

I sat amongst the flowers the plants and pebbles too

Ran my hands around the rocks and I knew what I had to do

I filled my hand with pebbles and filled your bottle up

My tears turned to his smile dropping rocks down in your cup

I had the perfect plan after all you hit me first

I’ll throw that rocky bottle at you and pray it doesn’t burst

I walked back in the room bottle in my hand

Smelled your sickening perfume

And I did what I had planned

I didn’t hesitate

Hell I almost laughed

vengeful and vindictive revenge

my perfect craft.

Could someone tell me what type of poem this is?

someone, please explain how ” peach blossoms;” is 7 syllables.

It is written in Japanese and translated to English, the syllables have been lost in translation

I would tell you if I did, but I don’t. Sorry.

Who are your favourite poets Kaelyn? And maybe cite two of your favourite poems? Just the titles, not the whole poems.

This post provided exceptional value while reading each poetry style. I’m learning more about each one, so when I write, I can pick which groups my writing fits.

Most of my poetry rhymes or use strong imagery and occasionally rhymes. However, I wouldn’t expect it to have a unique layout or game plan while constructing a poem. Now I am more than ready to go back through my writing and make serious edits, or getting a frugal idea how to use my words appropriately.

Glad you liked this post, Eternity! I think you have a solid understanding of your own writing style, which really helps with the writing process. Good luck!

BULLING They force me they pressure me they feel like killing me they feel like toturing me

I feel my heart is going to burst I start to cry for help but no one answers I feel paralised and ashamed of my self I pray that someone helps me, but am lonely

Thanks for sharing your poem, Tanjiro! It’s sad, but poignant. I hope you’re not experiencing these things now!

The True Way Of Life in Modern Days

Forgot the reality of last decade Nobody cares about what they did;

Everyone wishes to be calm Everyone wants to be in heaven But, where the True Way Of Life lies;

No one cares about what they are doing Steps deeply with no thought

Some forgot what they were built for Some remember what they are made for;

But never satisfied But kept those non-permeable materials;

The Evil is here But no one cares;

The Evil’s end We live

The True Way Of Life Even in a Modern Culture

Is it publishable?

Hi Raj, thanks for sharing your poem! We don’t publish poetry, but you can definitely publish it on your own website or check our our list of poetry publishers :)

Tyger Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night; What immortal hand or eye, Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies. Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand, dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art, Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat, What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain, In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? what dread grasp, Dare its deadly terrors clasp!

When the stars threw down their spears And water’d heaven with their tears: Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tyger Tyger burning bright, In the forests of the night: What immortal hand or eye, Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

What poem is this?

COLD I feel cold, it’s not winter,nor harmattan. This depressing urge to cover my face, so I won’t be seen nor looked upon.

To cover my face so I won’t have to face what I’ve faced again. I’m cold,from the pain,the depression,the weakness,the emotional trauma.

oh! what’s this disdain, Deep freeze from within, trying not to loose my reason for existing.

Pls what kind of poem is this?

Hi Adam, it looks like free verse to me :)

A Song from the Marooned

Mem’ries materialized Tears trickled Miseries realized Heart’s sickled

Painful revelations Epiphany’s real Surging emotions Making me reel

They have departed Weeps are muffled I remained bolted Legs are shackled

Seeing their home Missing my home

Hi Ken, this looks like a Shakespearean Sonnet :)

How do we call a poem with 25 lines

Hi Tumse, I don’t think there’s a specific name for poems with 25 lines.

Dear sir, My name is Lina Qurbanzada. I am the English literature 4th year student. My monograph is about differences betweem poetry and verse please can You sent to my gmail more information about poetry and verse Or address me some books about my monogrph topic.

Look to this day: For it is life, the very life of life. In its brief course Lie all the verities and realities of your existence. The bliss of growth, The glory of action, The splendour of achievement Are but experiences of time.

For yesterday is but a dream And tomorrow is only a vision; And today well-lived, makes Yesterday a dream of happiness And every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well therefore to this day; Such is the salutation to the ever-new dawn!

by Kalidasa

what type of poem is this? Thankyouuuu i need it for my report

Hi Trixie! I believe it’s just a free verse. I don’t see any recognizable rhyme scheme or structure.

Like a wishbone or the instep of your foot this parabolic love curves, wings starring in the neck of a crane at marsh’s edge, or bends its back into a kite arching the membrane of blue flight.

You breath me out I breathe you in the smell of your skin. is salt and tide and tin The half-open door tilts cooler light upon the floor and the outside sounds come in an olive thrush through the hibiscus bush last evening note throating me under you.

This much as all we have: shadows gathering, fugitive grace, and the deep body as our penumbral space.

What type of this poem?

Hi Musa, this looks like free verse to me, as I don’t see any consistent rhyme pattern :)

1997 I lost… Myself, For, several years. I found… Myself, Again, now. 2021

I think possibly an Epigram or Free Verse. What is your professional opinion?

Hi Cee Lee, I would say it’s free verse, but I guess it could also be an epigram. Epigrams are usually humorous or satirical, so it depends on your intention

                A cosmic joke A man sees a flower, one he thinks will give him power, so beautiful and rare in the eyes of this beholder, he holds on tight to love, cherish and protect her. He loves what he has found, giving her a ring and hoping it stays bound, forever unchanged all around, the one he falls in love with on that special day, it’s her he hopes and prays she’ll stay, that same girl he met on that special day!

A woman sees a man’s potential, she’ll break him, mold him, and make him her perfect Temple, she’ll straighten his back and trim his nails, fix his hair and tell him Tales, cooking meals and feeding him well making his belly swell, slowing him down and keeping him on the ground, until working home is where he’ll always be found. She’ll make it clear there’s no more play and for now on you’ll do it her way…

This beautiful flower he once knew has changed into something new he has lost the one he fell in love with, what did he do?

Complicated and Confused even to herself, the temple she thought she could mold is now lazy, fat, boring and old. She kept him grounded, fed his belly and took his play all because she didn’t love the man she met that day. The one still like a boy wanting to play, She loved the potential of some imaginary Temple, she fell in love with a man that didn’t exist plain and simple. Now this bor she has created is no longer a man just someone to hold open a door, so she turns her back and walks away looking for her new prey…

Dazed and Confused, tired and beaten, this man just lost all life’s reasons, he gave her what she demanded outright commanded changing everything about him so she would love him and still she up and left him!

Conclusion: A woman gets with a man for who she thinks she can make him become. A man falls in love with the woman he meets, who she is at the time.

The Irony: The man stays the same, the woman changes. A cosmic joke on us all but the men aren’t laughing!

                     Robert M Miller                             2018

thanks for sharing, Robert!

Good afternoon I wanted to know if there was any kind of poem format that resembled an acronym or formatted in that way. E.g

F.riendships R.emain A.nd N.ever C.an E.nd

Hi Tajwaun, that is known as an acrostic poem :)

Is this same free verse and Blank verse.

Hi Mona, both free verse and blank verse are free of a set rhyme scheme, but blank verse does have a consistent meter (usually iambic pentameter), whereas free verse does not

Life is an endless sea of pain, only one drop of hope remains, hearts as cold as rain, and all the hope has drained,

What type of poem is this?

Hi Violet, I don’t think it’s a specific type of poem, but it can be described as a quatrain (4 lines) with an AAAA rhyme scheme

Hi! Is this a free verse?

Two days, oh no! I miss you so… Still, it makes no sense to you Why I would feel so overdue.

Hi Diana, if that’s the whole poem, I don’t think it’s a specific type (so I think it would be free verse), but this can be described a quatrain with an AABB rhyme scheme :)

Maam pls help. Ozioma Ogbaji Apr 2015 COLOUR ME COLOURS Like the heavens and the skies Like the deep seas so wide When I am confident and true When I have faith in you Colour me blue, colour me blue

Like the royals of Great Britain Like the noble in truth and ambition In my wisdom, dignity and pride In my mystery and grandeur so wise Colour me purple, colour me purple

Like fire and blood Like the intensity of a flood In my strength and passion In my desire, love and emotion Colour me red, colour me red

Like the warmth of the tropics Like the sun, my daily tonic When I am determined and creative When I am happy and attractive Colour me orange, colour me orange

Like a smile so warm Like joy even in a storm When I am cheerful and happy In my intellect, when I am savvy Colour me yellow, colour me yellow

When I am all these and more When I am despised or adored With the colours of the rainbow With the colours that make me glow Colour me colours, colour me colours

Hi Riya, thanks for sharing that beautiful poem! How can I help you?

That was a good poem

That was a good poem my dear stranger.

I was sitting in my room “Let me go!…You’re hurting me” The glass vase shatters From the passage, my body falls to the floor “Stop…you’re hurting me!” Her screams echoed through the house

Mom, why does daddy hurt you? Because he” loves us” But is that enough? Is love enough? Enough to heal black and blue bruises Is love enough? Enough to drown out your cries for help when I have homework doing Is love enough? When I can’t focus in class because I keep seeing your bruised face Is love enough? when I have to miss school because you cannot walk Is love enough When I have to lie to teachers “Where is your mom?” “She is ok”

If that is love Then I should choke my wife If that is love Then I should break my wife’s jaw If that is love Then I should call my wife a… If that is love, mom Should I do that to my child? Mom that is not love.

Love should heal Love should bring joy Love should be kind Love should make you smile

Hi Micah, I’d say it’s a free verse that features refrain (the repeated “Is love enough?” lines).

A sad and depressing poem, but well written.

What type of poem is this one by Jack London? “Old longings nomadic leap, Chafing at custom’s chain; Again from its brumal sleep Wakens the ferine strain.”

Hi Alex, I believe it’s an epigram

Is it the Kingfisher? Marjorie Evasco This is how I desire God on this island With you today: basic and blue As the sea that softens our feet with salt And brings the living wave to our mouths Playing with sounds of a primary language. “God is blue,” sang the poet Juan Ramon Jimenez, drunk with desiring, his hair, eyebrows, eyelashes turned blue as the kingfisher’s wings. It is this bird that greets us as we come Round the eastern bend of this island; Tells us the hairbreadth boundary between us Is transient in the air, permeable to the blue Of tropic skies and mountain gentian. Where we sit on this rock covered with seaweeds, I suddenly feel the blueness embrace us, This rock, this island, this changed air, The distance between us and the Self We have longed to be. A bolt of burning blue Lights in my brain, gives the answer We’ve pursued this whole day: Seawaves sing it, the kingfisher flies in it, This island is rooted in it. Desiring God is transparent blue – the color Which makes our souls visible.

May I know what type of poetry is this? Why? :)

this is free verse :)

This information was very useful as i have to do a poetry assesment at school.

Mine’s in two hours

I hope it went well and that this post was helpful! :)

I’m so glad you found it helpful, best of luck on your assessment!

Hi, May I know what type of poetry is this?

WHERE IS MY MAY?Fernando Ma. Guerrero

My happy days have passed away. The hills and woods have lost their flower. Where is my May?Where are its sweet and charming hours? Cheer me, my star, and give me light,To see at least a pleasant way, Show me your eyes so fair and bright To and my way. With thoughts of care I bend my head, Where is my May? I am alone, I eat my bread Away from you, so far away

I don’t think this one is a particular type either, but it does have ABAB rhyme structure :)

Hello! May I know what type of poetry are these?

Lament for the Littlest Fellow – Edith Tiempo Where is My May? – Fernando Ma. Guerrero Is It the Kingfisher? – Marjorie Evasco The Conversion – J. Neil Garcia

Thank you <3

LAMENT FOR THE LITTLEST FELLOW

The littlest fellow was a marmoset.

He held the bars and blinked his old man’s eyes.

You said he knew us, and took my arms and set

My fingers around the bars, with coaxing mimicries

Of squeak and twitter. “Now he thinks you are

Another marmoset in a cage.” A proud denial

Set you to laughing, shutting back a question far

Into my mind, something enormous and final.

The question was unasked but there is an answer.

Sometimes in your sleeping face upon the pillow,

I would catch our own little truant unaware;

He had fled from our pain and the dark room of our

But I would snatch him back from yesterday and

You wake, and I bruise my hands on the living cage.

Hi Krishna, I’m really not sure. It has 14 lines and starts out like a sonnet (rhyme scheme ABAB, CDCD), but then changes, so it might be free verse?

Hi Krishna! I think The Conversion is free verse as there doesn’t seem to be a rhyme pattern. I’ve answered your comments above for the other poems :)

Sorry to ask, but What type of poem is this?

Maybe we’ll find a way To jump with out coming down, To speed without crashing, To fly without falling, To float without drowning, To fight without cowardice, To love without doubt, To smile without hidden sorrow, To think without worrying, To sleep without nightmares, To exist without questioning.

Maybe we’ll find a way to be and do all the things we promised ourselves when we were younger.

Maybe we’ll find a way to forgive ourselves and be okay.

Hi Adli, I believe that’s free verse:)

Hi! Does anybody know what type of poem is this?

You ask me how much I love you Ah, lovely inquisitive lips! You would want to fathom the ocean And scale the infinite blue sky above us.   Shall I count the sands on the seashore, Or pick the numberless stars of heaven Like some sweet woodland blossoms?   Ask then the bold eagle of the air If he could soar the ends of the distance, Or the worm of the ground if it could crawl Down to the very core of earth.   And you ask me how much I love you, Ah, lovely inquisitive lips! You would want to fathom the ocean And scale the infinite blue sky above us.   Read! Read the answer in my eyes And in the quiverless muteness of my lips… For there are things that are voiceless And would be told only in the silence!

I remember having to interpret this poem during my freshman days :) This is a free verse poem as far as I can see.

what is the structure of that poem?

what is a poem with 32 lines called as? 4 lines each para and has 8 paras totally… please clear my doubt

Sorry, Sanjana, I couldn’t find exactly what you’re looking for. The closest I found is the L’Arora, a 32 line poem. It’s composed of an octave made up of a sestet and a couplet though.

Good evening, I’m Shecku from Sierra Leone. I really found this content profound and helpful. With intense enthusiasm I seek to know whether there is a platform(especially from WhatsApp medium), where we’d gets to meet and develop ourselves as poets?

Hi Shecku, thanks for your comment! I don’t know of any Whatsapp groups, but we have a list of online writer clubs that you might want to check out :)

please help me identify what this poem is ,is it Limerick A bad case of the sneezes

Last night I had the sneezes, I was really feeling ill. I went to see the doctor who prescribed a pinkish pill?

At eight o’clock I went to bed. I then turned out the light. I used up one whole box of tissues by sneezing through the night.

I sneezed and sneezed throughout the night. I didn’t get much rest. So that’s the reason, teacher, that I failed my spelling test.

Bruce Lansky (adapted)

Hi Shymore, yes, I think it would be a limerick

Hi, I just discovered I had a poetic writing interest. I have read the above however I am not absolutely certain if these 2 poems I wrote are sonnets. I would say close to a sonnet but not the exact rules as mentioned above. Thank you for assisting..

Poem 1: Wondering if she’d lost her mind.. So what is she did? Most are that way inclined

Her mind actually far from lost… Kindly stepped back so she could move passed

She thanked her mind and walked beyond.. A little scary but she felt a bond

Walking towards a very dark place.. She started to trust, more than this material place.

Not sure who she is in this space.. Is she the alien, or this place? Sick to her stomach and so she writes.. A poetic insight of her life

Tears fall down Her heart bleeds

She longs for something.. not what she thought she needs To find connection is what she seeks.. In people and places but never succeeds

Where does she look if not there? Perhaps within, a whisper dared..

Hi Megan, neither are these are quite sonnets. While you can label the rhyme scheme you’ve created in this poem, I think they’re best classified as free verse (which isn’t a bad thing). Thanks for sharing your lovely poems! :)

INDEED THEY ARE

I have written over 50 poems right now in draft form. I would like to recognize the different styles of poems. And would like to publish sometime this year once I get the manuscript polished.

Hi Verene, that’s great! We have a list of poetry publishers you might find helpful :)

Hi, Include these styles in your poetry style parts: https://www.poetrysoup.com/poetry/new-poetic-forms.aspx

Thanks for sharing, we’ll check it out!

Hi I have been able to write 35 poems successfully Thanks

that’s great, congratulations! :)

looking up at moon,i know quite well the only peace,i will ever get battle in the darkness i,suffer in a daylight like a hell

my mind full of galaxies tired of creating the place that doesn’t exists no need of caffeine to wake me up more I stay,i baptized by nights

am i alright?is i ask myself surviving like a dead breathing human hopeless is kind of hopeuntil you yourself have felt its light

mysterious moon and her child knows the depth or secrets of her own doesn;t want to share the world and holds what light she can

the connection between them makes them strong and not to give up always make sure that her darkness doesn’t make her drain it’s the world that makes her tears rain.

can you tell me which form is this?

Hi Riya, it doesn’t look like there’s a consistent rhyme scheme. I would say it’s free verse

Catching covid Over germed Very dangerous It will kill you Do you stay protected?

Up above is a acrostic poem about covid

very clever, mariam! thanks for sharing!

I would love to be a poet person after looking at this!

you definitely can! :) check out our tips on how to write a poem if you’re wondering how to start

Thank you for this post! I don’t really know what to call my writings.. I also never really call them poems.. I used to write a lot when i was young (10 years ago or so). only recently I’ve started writing some again:

They comfort my soul The scent of magical sweetness The colors of their faces Fragile at their touch Moments of happiness

Everything I do Seems to be nothing Everything I am Seems to be no one Everything I want Seems to be gone Everything I think Seems to be thoughtless Everything I found Seems to be lost

Thanks for sharing your writing, Freya! Personally, I would describe them as poems. Great work! :)

Hey. I once read about a type of poetry in which the first words of each line formed the last line. Now i can’t seem to remember the type. I would be glad if you could help me identify the type. Just the name would do.

Its called villanelle

Thanks for your comment! I can’t seem to find anything about a poem like that. I do see that a “loop” poem is when the last word of the first line becomes the first word of the second line, and it continues like that.

hi. I wanted to know what will you say the ” Please , take photographs’ by Sindiwe Magona poem will you refer to .Like what type of poem is this one?

Hi Setu, unfortunately I can’t find a sample of the book to determine what types the poems are.

can i have the type of praise poetry

Sorry, I don’t understand your question! Do you want an example of a praise poem?

Ode to My Brothers My Brothers, You are Survivors You Both are Brave as the Bold Fox watching and waiting, For the Rabbit to Run by. My Brothers, You are my Shadows You Follow me into Hell with no questions. Then you keep Following me. Both of you put all of your Trust in me. My Brothers, You are my Secret Keepers In the locked box of your Minds. It is sealed Off from pressing eyes. Of the Evil in the World My Brothers, You are my Sanity You keep me in the light. When I want to go into the Dark. And never return. My Brothers, You are my Roots You hold me Stable in the Earthquake. When others around us have fallen Into the darkness My Brothers, You are my Family You always help me in dark times For you are the light I need In the dark tunnel of Life.

Hi Minerva, thank you for sharing your two poems! great work

Ode to Blood My Blood, You are like a Shadow. You are always with Me. My Blood, You Save me from the Darkness You are as Strong as the Oak Tree My Blood, You are my Garden. Even when you are gone Forever. My Blood, Just Stay with me Till the Sunset is over. My Blood, In the Blood Colored Sunset You are the Most wonderful thing I see.

I have also written this.

hey love it poetry is great

you’re missing some of the poem types.

Hi Jocelyn, thanks for your comment! I know there are more than this, originally I just wanted to include the most common types, but I’m thinking about updating it with more :)

Hi! This was really helpful! Thanks!

Glad you found it helpful, Sam! :)

Hi, what kind of poem is usually about war?

Hi kaelyn thanks for this post. Was thinking if I could get your email address, I’d like to share my first writing with you

Hi Prince, I hope you found the post helpful! If you’d like to share your poetry, you’re welcome to enter our poetry contest , or post your poem here :) If you’d like to submit a manuscript, you’ll find our submission guidelines here .

I still can’t figure out what type of poem I wrote….if I can’t figure out what it is would it be considered free verse then???

Hi Katie, while our post only covers 12 types of poems, these are among the most common. If it doesn’t look like one of these, there’s a good chance it’s free verse (which many poems are)

this was not that helpful

Hi Emily, I’m sorry you didn’t find the post helpful. Is there anything we could include to make it more helpful?

Thank you. I have just written my first Villanelle. I have always written poems but never specifically using any poetic style. Now I can successfully structure my poems. After reading your article, it just comes natural to me. This is unbelievable because I am 44yrs old and have written all my life! Please keep up the great work.

I’m so glad you found the post helpful, Mel! :) Keep up the great work with your poetry! If you’d like, feel free to share some here sometimes too :)

hi Kaelyn , dedicated to Hidding street,

A STRANGE MOOR A real moor, lone moor, At Hidding beehive corner, call it street glance of gusto, classy stride, Face staunch, glossy dark skinned.

It was the back I saw, swaying, Long trouser, not fitting to ankle, A peacock stride , yet in haste A clock, clock, stride .

The gown or kanzu hanged fittingly, Almost a secret hunchback, The eyes not glassed but gazed Head not capped, a funny moor.

What alarmed… was the age. You couldn’t tell his frail…, Moved with vigor like a bull, Hair locked, rastas hanging low.

Uhm, a smile on my cheek A black rastad moor at Hidding street Dangled straight, not looking aside No cough no sneeze ,on smoky lane.

Oh moor, at Hidding Africa , You’re lost?, going home or in tour ? forgot the cap …formal sacred hat , He didn’t wave or greet like others .

Others hummed greetings ,shouted Godisgreat, Called neighbours,more greetings, More chewingKhat, mouth dancing More this or that .

Thanks for sharing your poems, Zephaniah! I can see you really love writing poetry :)

That nice lady, nice as a dog Boy, she sure can Jog! She definitely likes Soy on her rice! She’s lucky there’s no price when you’re beautiful Here she comes as usual She instantly humms a jolly tune I’m lucky I got her It probably only happens once in a blue moon

Thank you for sharing your poem, George! :)

Thank you. Now I believe the style of my writings would be free form. They are inspired by the Holy Spirit.

I hope you found the post helpful, Sheila :) keep writing poetry!

not complete

What’s not complete?

They were saying that there are more poems than this

Thanks Emily! Yeah originally I just wanted to include the most common types, but I’m planning on expanding this soon :)

These poems were really cool!!!

glad you enjoyed them, Trinity! :)

THE HIDDING STREET MAN It was hot not normal hot Dizzy breezeless hot only normal day At the street eyes flickered

The eyes flickered again the man lost In the buzz the cozy hardened whiskers Eyes dry arms hanged walked dangling

Dangling dingling I thought theyd fall The arms and back bit hunched Past hidding I looked with wonder .

with wonder yes hairs loosely Wobbled and drooled he had rastas Slight coloured brownish white gown

A white brown gown , wasn’t long It flared and danced as he strode Robotically flip flop flip flop

Thanks for sharing, Zephaniah!

PEACE WITHIN THE TEMPEST A ballad

The waters roared And lighting flashed Twelve men at ores As billows crashed

Terrified they pressed on Under nights dread veil Oh for a glimpse of the sun Or end to the gale

Then at once upon the sea Appeared a vissage walking They cried out “Oh what can it be But a spirit upon us lighting?”

Now these men all sore afraid Cried out at once for fear But Jesus said “don’t be afraid, It is I. Be of good cheer.”

Peace be still, peace be still The Master there is standing Amidst the wind and slashing waves Stands PEACE within the tempest.

From Matthew 14:24-27

Beautiful, thank you for sharing, Douglas :)

I love poems: sample: SOCKETS IN RIVERSIDE The reason titled tilted Its teddy bear’s obsession which reason listed No truth meter zipped or sanevuletts Thames rivulets of heads steadiness

He would peck peck and peck Honey peck pocket peck money peck The lovepeck was more its tilted roars and huhs wonders and hi’s

they loved either it and dismayed the slots filled and taunted and haunted they’d laugh and laughed Thames is “iron peck” and greasy grity hands

The grit never mattered the slots The honeybees swarm and sang They also sang Thames peck peck song Honeypeck pocket peck moneypeck

Its the woodpeckers dance, I would laugh to learn the song It was nice to sing to Thames Who loved and danced at the peck peck sound . ahahahahahahahahah thanks

I write a lot of poems but the problem I’ve got is, how to identify or sort them into different categories or types they belong.

Hi Sanda, that’s great that you enjoy writing poetry! :) The guidelines above might help you determine which types of poems they are by looking at the rhyme scheme and other structural details. However, your poems might also be free verse, which is when there is no set rhyme scheme or set meter.

Pls how can I learn all the rules of writing all the types of peoms?

Hi Emmanuel, the specific rules for each type of poem are outlined above (rhyme scheme, number of lines, etc.). If you’re looking for more general guidelines, you can check out our post on how to write a poem :)

How can I sell poem online

Hi Timilehin, we have a post on how to make money selling poetry with some good tips. I hope that helps! :)

Thanks Kaelyn. This is a lot of good information about poetry. I didn’t know there existed so many different types of poems. In our church meetings, one of the brothers would read his poems very time. They have only one stanza and about 20 (even number of) lines. The rhyme scheme is always AA BB CC DD … depending on the number of lines. The closest type for his poems seems to be Epigram, but then you said epigram is short. So maybe it is really a Free Verse. Also, what is the rhyme scheme in the JFK example used for epigram? I would appreciate your thoughts.

Hi Yuqin, yes, it sounds like those poems might be free verse, with lots of couplets. And the JFK examples is not actually a poem — epigrams can also just be short, clever remarks :)

Thanks again, Kaelyn! It all makes sense now.

Of course! Glad I could help :)

I’ve been writing poems for years Just thought I’d get your opinion.

2/11/2021 TIME

Woke up this morning Thinking of time Using it now Constructing this rhyme

It moves very swiftly But it used to be slow We use it all day Where ever we go

We attempt to save it But that can’t be done It continues to pass If we walk or we run

It “ waits for no one” Use wisely, spend well We say, “not enough” We say, “it will tell”

We ask where it goes ‘Cause it never stops Yet promised to no one And it’s when the “ball drops “

The big equalizer No one gets more than you Yet some is cut short How can both things be true?

Some things take too much We ask where it goes We run out of it And, oh, how it shows

Unstoppable, yet steady “Once upon a time” Invested and wasted And put in a line

Everyone uses it Every thing takes it up Most can tell it Makes memories erupt

A precious gift We can’t buy or obtain Yet life depends on it And it’s hard to explain

Hi Rebecca, I really enjoyed reading your poem! Very clever, and you did a great job creating the rhyme scheme.

We have been using this piece for our writing group. We try to produce a poem .

I hope you’ve found the content helpful! :) Please let us know how it goes and if you have any questions!

Poem is a very likelyitem to read very nice and intresful❤

We love poetry here too! :)

I really love this piece on types of poems. I’m an aspiring poet with many unpublished poem.

Hi Billy, I’m glad you enjoyed the post! :) Have you thought about publishing your poems before?

Hello I’m a published poet in Gogyohka USA and Romania in the Gogyohka style, a Japanese 5 line freestyle poem developed by Enta Kasukabe in 1952. Lines should be short and succinct. We also do Gogyohka mirror, which you use the poems last line first to start the second half. And Gogyohkabun a story or poem which ends in a Haiku. We accept tanka, Haiku any form of Japanese poetry and original art. We also have a Community blog Soul Moments and a Youtube channel where submissions are presented. Gogyohka is a very freeing style of poetry that many people from different countries have fallen in love with .

Hi Cheryl, thanks for sharing! Sounds great:)

rosis ar rad vilot ar blue if you go out with me you will lake me to.

Very helpful

Glad you found the post helpful! :)

That long night :

There I stood in a dusk, Wandering like a vagabond. Finding ways to escape, Surrounding so numb, I fumbled.

Time was fleeting fast, I could smell the breeze, As it kissed my lips. Darkness of the night, Mocked at my sight.

In that stillness of night I stood, The waves of trees were shaking hands. It created a magical spell on me. I shivered in that cold chilly night. I escaped a beat to find ray of light.

Ah! That long night surrounded me, With darkness all around. My legs refused to move, Dullness loaded alcove. And there, I stood terrified in that long night. Can anyone tell me which form is this.

Learn More About

• Fiction (223)
• Nonfiction (71)
• Blogging (47)
• Book Promotion (29)
• How to Get Reviews (9)
• Audiobooks (17)
• Book Design (11)
• Ebook Publishing (13)
• Hybrid Publishing (8)
• Print Publishing (9)
• Self Publishing (70)
• Traditional Publishing (53)
• How to Find an Editor (11)
• Fitness (4)
• Mindfulness and Meditation (7)
• Miscellaneous (117)
• New Releases (17)
• Career Development (73)
• Online Courses (46)
• Productivity (45)
• Personal Finance (21)
• Podcast (179)
• Poetry Awards Contest (2)
• Publishing News (8)
• Readers Choice Awards (5)
• Reading Tips (145)
• Software (18)
• Technology (18)
• Contests (4)
• Grammar (64)
• Word Choice (64)
• Writing a Book (64)
• Writing Fiction (195)
• Writing Nonfiction (79)

TRY OUR FREE APP

Write your book in Reedsy Studio. Try the beloved writing app for free today.

Craft your masterpiece in Reedsy Studio

Plan, write, edit, and format your book in our free app made for authors.

Guides • Perfecting your Craft

Posted on Feb 07, 2022

Types of Poems: 15 Poetry Forms You Need to Know

Poetry is an art form that, for much of its history, has been defined by how it adheres to (or defies) its own tradition. And part of that rich tradition is the poetic forms that have been championed by each generation's leading writers. To understand where poetry is going next, readers and writers should ideally know where poetry has come from .

In this Reedsy guide, we will examine what it takes to write and publish poetry. But lest we run before we walk, we should first become intimate with the many faces of the great spoken art...

In other words, here are 15 types of poems everybody should know:

The invention of the sonnet is first accredited to the thirteenth-century Sicilian poet Giacomo da Lentini, who crafted the form as an ideal way of expressing ‘courtly love’. This poetry form was typically meant to express a ‘forbidden love’ in the court (think ‘noble lady falls in love with the squire’) and it was a genre in itself at the time. 

Modern variations are closer to Seamus Heaney’s Glanmore Sonnets, in which he takes the drama expected of a sonnet and plays on that by writing about the mundane.

The two most common sonnets are named for their best-known practitioners: William Shakespeare and the 14th-century poet, Petrarch. While both of these are fourteen lines long, they come with different rule sets:

What makes a Shakespearean sonnet?

Structure: Fourteen lines of iambic pentameter.

• Three quatrains (4 lines), followed by a couplet (two lines).
• The final couplet presents a volta (AKA a thematic twist) or conclusion.

Rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Similar forms in other cultures: Onegin stanza / oneginskaya strofa (Russian), Quatorzain (French, archaic). 

What is iambic pentameter?   Iambic pentameter consists of five iambic ‘feet’ — stressed syllables followed by unstressed syllables — sounding something like:   Now IS the WIN-ter OF our DIS-con-TENT   It was Shakespeare's favored meter, and, spoiler alert, iambic pentameter crops up in a lot of other poetic forms!

What makes a Petrarchan sonnet?

Structure: Fourteen lines, split into two stanzas, in iambic pentameter (traditionally).

• First stanza: eight lines (an octave) asking a question or posing an argument
• Second stanza: six lines (a sestet) answering that question. 
• The volta arrives between the eighth and ninth lines 

Meter: Iambic pentameter (traditionally). 

Rhyme scheme: ABBA ABBA CDECDE

Shakespearean example: " Sonnet 18" by William Shakespeare

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm'd;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade,

Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;

Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st:

   So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

   So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

Petrarchan example: "How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for right.

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

Ever get so excited about that new book you’ve been waiting to get your hands on, or that new game with amazing graphics, that you just want to tell everyone about it? Well, poets have been right there with you for centuries, they even made a poetic form specifically to praise things they think are really amazing. (Though historically speaking, they probably didn’t write about games.)

What a mighty fine thing!

Unlike the previous poetry forms, the ode is a lyrical stanza addressing a specific person, place, thing, or event. In fact, it doesn’t just casually address the thing of choice; it’s written in elaborate praise of said thing. The term ‘ode’ originates from the Ancient Greek ōdḗ (or ‘ aoidē ’), meaning ‘song’ —  likely reflecting the form’s origins as a predominantly musical form. 

There are two classic subcategories of ode: Pindaric and Horatian — both of which follow an ABABCDECDE rhyme scheme. However, contemporary odes tend to be more irregular. 

What makes a pindaric ode?

Structure: Traditionally separated into three-stanza sections; the strophe (two plus lines repeated as a unit), a metrically harmonious antistrophe (similar to the strophe, but with a thematic reverse), and the epode (concludes the poem thematically, and has a different meter and length to the previous stanzas).

Meter: Characterized by irregular line length.

Rhyme: ABABCDECDE

What makes a  Horatian ode?

Structure: Written in a series of couplets or quatrains, thematically surrounding intimate scenes in day-to-day life. Irregular odes may follow any structure.

Meter: Poet's choice, but the rhyme scheme and meter should be consistent throughout.

Rhyme scheme: ABABCDECDE. Irregular odes have no set pattern. 

What makes an i rregular ode?

Structure: No strict form, verse structure and patterns should be irregular.

Meter: As the title suggests, the meter can be irregular.

Rhyme scheme: Typically rhymed, but the placement of the rhyme is the poet's choice.

Pindaric ode extract: "Ode To Aphrodite" by Sappho

Deathless Aphrodite, throned in flowers, Daughter of Zeus, O terrible enchantress, With this sorrow, with this anguish, break my spirit Lady, not longer! Hear anew the voice! O hear and listen! Come, as in that island dawn thou camest, Billowing in thy yoked car to Sappho Forth from thy father's Golden house in pity! ... I remember: Fleet and fair thy sparrows drew thee, beating Fast their wings above the dusky harvests, Down the pale heavens, Lightning anon! And thou, O blest and brightest, Smiling with immortal eyelids, asked me: 'Maiden, what betideth thee? Or wherefore Callest upon me? 

Horatian ode extract: "Ode to a Nightingale" by John Keats

My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains

         My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk,

Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains

         One minute past, and Lethe-wards had sunk:

'Tis not through envy of thy happy lot,

         But being too happy in thine happiness,—

             That thou, light-winged Dryad of the trees

                        In some melodious plot

         Of beechen green, and shadows numberless,

             Singest of summer in full-throated ease.

O, for a draught of vintage! that hath been

         Cool'd a long age in the deep-delved earth,

Tasting of Flora and the country green,

         Dance, and Provençal song, and sunburnt mirth!

O for a beaker full of the warm South,

         Full of the true, the blushful Hippocrene,

             With beaded bubbles winking at the brim,

                        And purple-stained mouth;

         That I might drink, and leave the world unseen,

             And with thee fade away into the forest dim:

Irregular ode extract: "Ode to the West Wind" by Percy Bysshe Shelle

O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn's being,

Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead

Are driven, like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing,

Yellow, and black, and pale, and hectic red,

Pestilence-stricken multitudes: O thou,

Who chariotest to their dark wintry bed

The winged seeds, where they lie cold and low,

Each like a corpse within its grave, until

Thine azure sister of the Spring shall blow

Her clarion o'er the dreaming earth, and fill

(Driving sweet buds like flocks to feed in air)

With living hues and odours plain and hill:

Wild Spirit, which art moving everywhere;

Destroyer and preserver; hear, oh hear!

While most modern readers may be more familiar with 80s power ballads than the works of middle-English poets — poetry, culture, and music as we know it today will owe a lot to this form. 

Ballads were invented to narrate a story in a memorable way. (Ever heard of the lovable vigilante Robin Hood? You might not have if his legend wasn’t passed down in 14th-century ballads!) 

"They'll sing songs about you one day..."

Though popularized by British and Irish bards, the name actually derives from the medieval French chanson balladée (meaning ‘dance songs’) — and it’s not hard to see the semblance between this form’s rhythm and structure and modern-day music:

Lithe and listen, gentleman,

That be of freeborn blood; 

I shall you tell of a good yeoman, 

His name was Robin Hood.

— A Gest of Robyn Hode, ed. Francis James Child. 

While hardly the bread and butter of twenty-first-century writers, 1985's US poet laureate Gwendolyn Brooks has been praised for her mastery of this poetic form. Ballads nowadays can be easily identified by their quatrains (four-line stanzas) and simple, melodic rhyme scheme – designed to fit with musical accompaniment. 

What makes a ballad?

Structure: Any length, usually written in quatrains.

Meter:  Traditionally, they're written in alternating lines of iambic tetrameter (eight syllables) and iambic trimeter (six syllables). 

Rhyme scheme: ABAB or ABCB, occasionally ABABBCBC.

Similar forms in other cultures:   Vaar (Punjabi),  Corrido (Mexican). 

Ballad example: "A Ballad of Hell" by John Davidson

'A letter from my love to-day!

Oh, unexpected, dear appeal!'

She struck a happy tear away,

And broke the crimson seal.

'My love, there is no help on earth,

No help in heaven; the dead-man's bell

Must toll our wedding; our first hearth

Must be the well-paved floor of hell.'

The colour died from out her face,

Her eyes like ghostly candles shone;

She cast dread looks about the place,

Then clenched her teeth and read right on.

'I may not pass the prison door;

Here must I rot from day to day,

Unless I wed whom I abhor,

My cousin, Blanche of Valencay.

An elegy is a mournful poetic form, the origins of which can be traced back to a combination of Ancient Greek poetics and Old English scriptures from the 11th Century, written to lament a death. 

Given the form’s long and rich history, you could point to a plethora of the most well-known poets — such as John Milton, or Walt Whitman — and probably find an elegy somewhere in their work. 

You can mourn more than just a person

Of course, this expression of sorrow isn’t exclusive to the death of a person, but also the topic of loss more generally: how we deal with it, the abstract loss of things, or the absence of what once was. Think Thomas Gray’s Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard , in which the speaker wanders through a churchyard (no surprises there) and begins to contemplate his own death, ultimately ending the poem with a passerby reading out an elegy for the narrator himself. 

Typically, this form was written in elegiac couplets, but nowadays you’ll usually find them in rhyming quatrains. Of course, if you’re interested in identifying an elegy, or writing one yourself, the most important thing to know is that the rules aren’t strict as long as the content is on-message. 

What makes an elegy?

Structure: Can be as long as the poet wants, and is mostly commonly written in couplets or quatrains, but it’s the poet’s choice as long as it’s about death/mourning/etc. 

Meter:  Iambic pentameter (usually).

Rhyme scheme: Typically ABBA or ABAB, but not strictly.

Similar forms in other cultures: Keening or Caointeoireacht (Gaelic Celtic), Rithā’ (Arabic), Soaz, Noha, and Marsiya (Arabic, Persian, Urdu).

Elegy example: "In Memoriam A.H.H." by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Our little systems have their day;

   They have their day and cease to be:

   They are but broken lights of thee,

And thou, O Lord, art more than they.

We have but faith: we cannot know;

   For knowledge is of things we see

   And yet we trust it comes from thee,

A beam in darkness: let it grow.

The epic poetry form is, as the name might suggest, one of the longest (and oldest) forms of poetry — often book-length. For context, the oldest recorded piece of literature is The Epic of Gilgamesh, which dates back to the Bronze Age between 2500 and 1300 BCE. Though commonly associated with Ancient Greek poets such as Virgil and Homer, almost every classic civilization had its own form of epic. For example, Mahabharata in ancient India and the ancient Persian Shahnameh .

While modern poets seldom write epics, the few that are published (such as Kate Tempest’s 2013 epic Brand New Ancients ) are equal parts eye-catching and ripe for critical acclaim when done well.

Epics are long by their very nature

Written in narrative verse, epic poems usually follow the story of a hero or a group of heroes — a famous example of this is, of course, The Odyssey by Homer. Though it’s difficult to define precise rules for writing epic poetry, The Odyssey’s structure is typical with its long stanzas and no rhyme scheme to speak of.

What makes an epic?

In the absence of strict rules, here are a couple of things to look out for:

Standard structure: Often epic (!) in stanza and overall length.

Common features:

• Repetition of words or symbols; 
• Enjambement Sentences allow lines to carry over to the next without punctuation, which makes the stanza flow more similar to a real speech; 
• Caesura: Mid-line pauses (usually signified by a full-stop or comma) are the poetry equivalent of writing ‘pause for effect’ in a script — helping to add weight to a line, control the pace of the poem, and mimic speech. 

Similar forms in other cultures:   Kāvya (Indian),  Alpamysh (Turkish),  Duma (Ukrainian).

Epic poetry extract: "The Odyssey" by Homer (trans. Emily Wilson).

“Hear me, leaders

And chieftains of Phaecia. I will tell you

The promptings of my heart. This foreigner — 

I do not know his name — came wandering 

from west or east and showed up at my house.

He begs and prays for help to travel on.

Let us assist him, as we have before

with other guests: no visitor has ever 

been forced to linger in my house. We always

give them safe passage home. Now let us launch 

a ship for her maiden voyage on the water,

and choose a crew of fifty-two, the men 

selected as the best, and lash the oars

beside the benches. Then return to shore,

and come to my house. Let the young men hurry

to cook a feast. I will provide supplies,

plenty for everyone. And I invite 

you also, lords, to welcome him with me.

Do not refuse! We also must invite 

Demodocus, the poet. Gods inspire him, 

so any song he chooses to perform

is wonderful to hear.”

6. Alexandrine

The modern English alexandrine is derived from the traditional French alexandrine: one line of twelve syllables, which may be repeated to form a whole poem. What's more, it's not technically a poetic form but a metrical structure — referring to the rhythm and length of a single line.

Though the French alexandrine and the English alexandrine are, by all accounts, pretty similar, there are two key differences when it comes to the caesura and emphasis on syllables, which we'll outline below.

We’ve made sure to include examples of the traditional French alexandrine alongside an English alexandrine. Because French language alexandrines are often translated to iambic pentameter for English speech patterns, we’ve also included French verse by poet and playwright Molière, as well as a faithful English translation of Du Bartas’s French poetry to show you how this form can look in French and English translation. 

What makes a French alexandrine?

Structure: A single line adding up to twelve metric syllables.

Meter: Two half-sections (hemistichs) of six syllables , separated by a caesura (pause).

Rhyme scheme: Usually AABB or ABAB when used in a longer poem

Similar forms in other cultures: Trzynastozgłoskowiec (Polish), český alexandrín (Czech), mester de clerecía (Spanish). 

What makes an English alexandrine?

Structure: A series of quatrains (four-line stanzas), any length. 

Meter: Each line has twelve stresses, with no fixed caesura.

Similar forms in other cultures: Trzynastozgłoskowiec (Polish), český alexandrín (Czech), mester de clerecía (Spanish).

Alexandrine extract: "Le Misanthrope" by Molière

Que de son cuisinier il s'est fait un mérite,

et que c'est à sa table à qui l'on rend visite.

Note how there is a natural momentary pause after the fifth syllable of each line. This pause is what's known as a caesura .

Alexandrine extract: "La Sepmaine" by Guillaume de Saluste Du Bartas

Thou that guid’st the course of the flame-bearinge spheares; 

The waters fomye bitt, Seas sou’reigne, thou that beares; 

That mak’st the Earth to tremble; whose worde onely byndes, 

And slackes th’vnruly raynes, to thy swifte postes the wyndes; 

Alexandrine extract: "To A Skylark" by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!

Bird thou never wert,

That from Heaven, or near it,

Pourest thy full heart

In profuse strains of unpremeditated art.

7. Blank verse

Popular with both old and contemporary writers, blank verse is unrhymed poetry — written most commonly in iambic pentameter. You’ll likely have encountered this form previously; it is commonly found in Shakespeare's plays and poems, chosen perhaps for its similarity to natural English speech. (And, not to mention, it would sound pretty strange if characters spoke in rhymes throughout every play!)

Because of its focus on rhythm above all, blank verse is a great form to look at if you want to delve into meter (what sounds right) and meaning ( why, without a rhyme scheme, is one word chosen over another).

What makes a blank verse poem?

Structure: Overall length and stanza length are the poet’s choice. 

Meter: Must be in metric verse, usually iambic pentameter.

Rhyme scheme: Unrhymed.

Blank verse example: "Tintern Abbey" by William Wordsworth.

Five years have past; five summers, with the length

Of five long winters! and again I hear

These waters, rolling from their mountain-springs

With a soft inland murmur.—Once again

Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs,

That on a wild secluded scene impress

Thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect

The landscape with the quiet of the sky.

The day is come when I again repose

Here, under this dark sycamore, and view

These plots of cottage-ground, these orchard-tufts,

Which at this season, with their unripe fruits,

Are clad in one green hue, and lose themselves

'Mid groves and copses. Once again I see

These hedge-rows, hardly hedge-rows, little lines

Of sportive wood run wild: these pastoral farms,

Green to the very door; and wreaths of smoke

Sent up, in silence, from among the trees!

With some uncertain notice, as might seem

Of vagrant dwellers in the houseless woods,

Or of some Hermit's cave, where by his fire

The Hermit sits alone.

8. Villanelle

The villanelle is a nineteen-line poetic form strictly consisting of five three-line stanzas, ending in a quatrain.

Sadly, this form has nothing to do with a certain loveable villain from BBC’s Killing Eve. In fact, its name can be traced all the way back to the medieval Latin ‘villanus’, meaning ‘farmhand’, reflecting the villanelle’s origin as pastoral folk music — in which a single (usually female) singer would improvise lyrics while a ring of dancers danced around her. 

It bears repeating...

The modern villanelle’s heavy use of refrain, in which specific lines of the poem are repeated, definitely reflects its musical roots. This common repetition has made it the favored form for poets who wish to convey obsession — such as with Sylvia Plath’s Mad Girl’s Love Song, in which the narrator obsesses over the loss of a loved one who may or may not have been real. 

What makes a villanelle?

Structure: Nineteen lines, structured with five tercets (three-line stanzas) followed by a quatrain.

Meter:  No strict meter, though most villanelle's after the twentieth century have been written in pentameter. 

Repetitions: 

• Line one must repeat in lines six, twelve, and eighteen. 
• Line three must repeat in lines nine, fifteen, and nineteen. 

Rhyme scheme: ABA, ABA, ABA, ABA, ABA, ABAA.

Villanelle example: "Theocritus" by Oscar Wilde

O Singer of Persephone!

In the dim meadows desolate

Dost thou remember Sicily?

Still through the ivy flits the bee

Where Amaryllis lies in state;

O singer of Persephone!

Simaetha calls on Hecate

And hears the wild dogs at the gate;

Still by the light and laughing sea

Poor Polypheme bemoans his fate:

And still in boyish rivalry

Young Daphnis challenges his mate:

Slim Lacon keeps a goat for thee,

For thee the jocund shepherds wait,

Villanelle extract: "Mad Girl’s Love Song" by Sylvia Plath

I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;

I lift my lids and all is born again.

(I think I made you up inside my head.)

The stars go waltzing out in blue and red,

And arbitrary blackness gallops in:

I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

9. Free verse

Free verse is the favored poetry form for many contemporary poets, in large part because (as the name implies) they can make their own rules — and break them if they wish. Poets naturally choose to make their own rules most often because, in this form, understanding the effect of punctuation and stanza breaks on how a poem is read is essential. 

When writing in free verse, poets (that is if they want to make their poetry public) must be considerate of the reader: how will one rhyme scheme read vs. another? Does this pause emphasize the previous line properly? Are there enough breaks for the reader to catch their breath? These are just some of the questions a poet writing in free verse might ask themselves! 

What makes a free verse poem?

Structure: Poet’s choice.

Meter: Anything, really.

Rhyme scheme: Any which way is fine.

Equivalent in other cultures: Japanese haibun.

Free verse example: "Come Slowly, Eden" by Emily Dickinson.

Come slowly – Eden!

Lips unused to Thee –

Bashful – sip thy Jessamines –

As the fainting Bee –

Reaching late his flower,

Round her chamber hums –

Counts his nectars –

Enters – and is lost in Balms.

Note: Free verse always results in interesting book interiors! Check out our post on poetry book layouts for insights from designers and inspiration.

10. Acrostic

Acrostic poetry spells out a secret meaning, often using the first letter of each new line, stanza, or any other recurring feature. The hidden message could be a word, phrase, or, more commonly, a name — sounds exciting, right? This form was popularised from the high middle ages onwards, with many poets at the time beginning their longer works with a short acrostic spelling their name. 

Hidden in plain sight

The beauty of this form is the diversity in how it might be used. Indeed, there have been several instances in recent years of people — such as CEOs, resigning employees, politicians — utilizing prose acrostics in emails and letters (often to convey a political message). You can even find multiple acrostics in the same poem — you might point to Behold, O God! by William Browne, in which you can find three different hidden New Testament verses, as a great example of this. 

There aren’t strict rules when it comes to writing this form; you only need to remember that, if there’s a hidden meaning (which is often identified through seemingly random capitalization of letters) then chances are that you’re reading an acrostic.  

What makes an acrostic?

Structure: Poet’s choice — just get a hidden meaning in!

Meter: Poet’s choice, but this will probably be determined by the hidden meaning.

Rhyme scheme: Poet’s choice!

Acrostic example: "Elizabeth"   by Edgar Allan Poe.

Elizabeth, it surely is most fit

[Logic and common usage so commanding]

In thy own book that first thy name be writ,

Zeno and other sages notwithstanding;

And I have other reasons for so doing

Besides my innate love of contradiction;

Each poet - if a poet - in pursuing

The muses thro' their bowers of Truth or Fiction,

Has studied very little of his part,

Read nothing, written less - in short's a fool

Endued with neither soul, nor sense, nor art,

Being ignorant of one important rule,

Employed in even the theses of the school-

Called - I forget the heathenish Greek name

[Called anything, its meaning is the same]

"Always write first things uppermost in the heart."

The haiku may often be the first type of poem you encounter; whether you’ve had to write one for school, or you’ve encountered them as Instagram poetry, you’ve probably had some experience with haiku . Though they were traditionally poems about the poet’s geographical and seasonal placement, paying homage to the landscape, nowadays people use the short form for comedic effect. 

Short and sweet

The haiku is a three-line poem, with a 5-7-5 syllable structure, originating in seventeenth-century Edo-period Japan. Originally named ‘hokka,’ the haiku is derived from the opening of a longer, collaborative, form of Japanese poetry called renga (or, linked poetry). Notably, most English translations separate haiku into three separate lines, while (romanized) originals are usually one single line separated by caesura. 

What makes a haiku?

Structure: Three lines long, with a 5-7-5 syllable structure:

• Line one: five syllables.
• Line two: seven syllables.
• Line three: five syllables.

Meter: Each line must follow the 5-7-5 syllable structure. 

Rhyme scheme: N/A.

Haiku example: "The Oak Tree" by Matsuo Bashō

In the original Japanese, romanized:

Kashi no ki no / hana ni kamawanu / sugata kana.

In English, translated by Robert Hass.

The oak tree:

not interested

in cherry blossoms.

12. Epigram

An epigram is a short poetic form that can range from two to four lines long. That said, many poets choose to create longer poems using this form by essentially lacing a number of smaller poems together — the end effect being that each section works well with the next while also standing on its own. 

Little poems found in the wild

Though the form was popularized by poets such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Voltaire in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, you might also point to Ezra Pound or Ogden Nash as more recent writers who favored this style. You might also be interested to know that, unlike other forms, epigrams are not exclusive to poetry. They can be used as a literary device, or in a speech to illustrate complex ideas concisely. (You might point to “an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind,” a quotation often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, as a good example of this.)

What makes an epigram?

If you’re looking to spot a poetic epigram, take a look at these simple rules:

Structure: Two to four lines, structured in couplets or four-line quatrains. 

Meter:  Often in iambic pentameter, but not strictly so. 

Rhyme scheme: ABAB (most commonly). 

Epigram example: "Auguries of Innocence" by William Blake.

To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower 

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand 

And Eternity in an hour

Epigram example: "Underwoods: Epigram" by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Of all my verse, like not a single line;   

But like my title, for it is not mine.   

That title from a better man I stole:   

Ah, how much better, had I stol'n the whole.

13. Epitaph

Think of epitaphs as like ‘Elegy Lite’. They’re often found carved onto gravestones so they need to be short unless the intended grave is actually a mausoleum. They also don’t have specific rules to speak of. They date back to the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks — but the English language form used nowadays is derived more closely from the Ancient Roman version, which was less emotive and focused on portraying facts about the deceased. 

So long, farewell

That said, modern epitaphs often include riddles, puns on names or professions, and even acrostics (though, it takes some care to know when humor is appropriate). One of the most famous influences for the modern-day epitaph is Robert Burns, who wrote thirty-five epitaphs (for close family, friends, and even himself), many of which were satirical. 

What makes an epitaph?

Structure: Poet’s choice!

Meter: Poet’s choice!

Similar forms in other cultures: Jisei (Japanese).

Epitaph example: "Epitaph on my own Friend" by Robert Burns

An honest man here lies at rest

As e'er God with his image blest.

The friend of man, the friend of truth;

The friend of Age, and guide of Youth:

Few hearts like his with virtue warm'd,

Few heads with knowledge so inform'd:

If there's another world, he lives in bliss;

If there is none, he made the best of this.

Epitaph example: "Epitaph" by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Heap not on this mound

  Roses that she loved so well;

Why bewilder her with roses,

  That she cannot see or smell?

She is happy where she lies

  With the dust upon her eyes.

14. Limerick

If you’ve ever heard a poem about an old man from Nantucket, then you’ve almost certainly encountered a limerick. These humorous poems, known best for their often rude or shocking punchlines, were popularized by Edward Lear in the nineteenth century. 

Part of what enhances the reader’s enjoyment of this form is the distinct AABBA rhyme scheme and rhythm which makes it fun to recite (and a great party trick!). After all, a great joke should feel inevitable and unexpected — the first rhyme of a limerick does this by setting a limit on what the punchline could possibly be, while the last line aims to catch you off-guard despite expectations. 

What makes a limerick?

The most important guideline to follow when writing this type of poetry is, of course, to make it funny and memorable. That aside, limericks do have a few rules that make them easy to identify:

Structure: One stanza, five lines.

Meter: The predominant meter is anapestic (two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable). Two long(er) lines of 7-10 syllables each, and two short lines of 5-6 syllables each. The final line should be a punchline. 

Rhyme scheme: AABBA.

Note: Though the most common limerick form, following its rise in popularity, would rhyme the same word in the first and last lines, it’s more common now to avoid this, unless for a specific effect. 

Limerick example: "Limerick" by Anonymous 

The limerick packs laughs anatomical

Into space that is quite economical.

But the good ones I’ve seen

So seldom are clean

And the clean ones so seldom are comical.

Limerick example: "There was an Old Man with a Beard" by Edward Lear

There was an Old Man with a beard,

Who said, "It is just as I feared!—

Two Owls and a Hen, four Larks and a Wren,

Have all built their nests in my beard.

15. Concrete

Concrete is given its name because, like concrete in a mold, it changes shape to fit the artist’s purpose. Indeed, it’s written to assume a specific shape on the page in order to reflect the poem’s subject matter. (And, let’s be honest, it’s probably quite an enjoyable form to play around with!) 

This form was popular as far back as Greek Alexandria in the 3rd and 4th centuries BCE, and ancient examples of concrete poems (shapes like eggs or hatchets) still remain today. For more recent examples, you might point to George Herman, who was particularly well-known for his concrete poetry — such as in the example below, where the poem’s form mimics the ‘wings’ mentioned in the verse. 

What makes a concrete poem?

Structure: How long is a piece of string? That aside, the poem’s physical shape should reflect a theme or symbol. 

Meter:  Beholden to the poem's shape. 

Rhyme scheme:  As the poet wishes...

Concrete poetry example: "Easter Wings" by George Herbert.

Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store,

Though foolishly he lost the same,

Decaying more and more,

Till he became

Most poore:

O let me rise

As larks, harmoniously,

And sing this day thy victories:

Then shall the fall further the flight in me.

My tender age in sorrow did beginner

And still with sicknesses and shame.

Thou didst so punish sinne,

That I became

Most thinne.

Let me combine,

And feel thy victorie:

For, if I imp my wing on thine,

Affliction shall advance the flight in me. 

Now that you have an idea of the various traditional poetry forms mastered by poets of yesteryear, how would you like to write your own? Continue to the next part of this series and learn just that! 

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

We made a writing app for you

Yes, you! Write. Format. Export for ebook and print. 100% free, always.

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

Types of Poems: 33 Unique Poetry Forms (With Examples)

As an art form, poetry stands as a testament to the power of words to weave tapestries of emotions, to capture the essence of life’s profound moments, and to ignite the fire of imagination within us. It has evolved and embraced countless forms throughout history, each one distinct, evocative, and capable of touching the deepest recesses of our hearts.

In this journey, we will explore 33 poetry forms, each with its own spellbinding cadence and thought-provoking beauty. Brace yourself to be transported to the realms of joy, sorrow, love, and wonder, as we unravel the artistry and brilliance that lies within these poetic treasures.

What is Poetry?

Poetry is an art form that uses language to arouse feelings, spur ideas, and spark the imagination. It goes beyond the limitations of traditional language to paint pictures with words and capture the essence of human experiences in a special and condensed way.

Poets use rhythm, vivid descriptions, imaginative language, and a lyrical arrangement of words to bring their thoughts to life.

Craft of Writing Quiz (Easy)

Your answer:

Correct answer:

SHARE YOUR RESULTS

Your Answers

Key Elements of Poetry

Let’s first explore the essential components that make up the world of poetry. From rhyming words and rhythmic patterns to the arrangement of lines and the use of descriptive language, these are the building blocks of poetic expression.

• Rhyme: The repetition of similar sounds at the end of words or phrases, used to create a musical or rhythmic feel. E.g., bright and delight .
• Meter: The rhythmic pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry, which helps establish a consistent beat or inflection. E.g., in “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” Each foot consists of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable for a rhythm of da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM .
• Stanza: A group of lines in a poem that are separated from other groups by line breaks, similar to a paragraph in prose. A couplet has two lines, a tercet three, a quatrain four, and a quintain five lines.
• Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or thought from one line of poetry to the next without a pause, which improves flow and creates suspense or surprise.
• Theme: The main idea, message, or underlying concept explored in a poem, usually an emotion or universal truth.
• Imagery: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and conjures up evocative mental pictures and sensory experiences. E.g., “The golden sun melted into the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the rippling waves, as seagulls soared gracefully through the cotton candy clouds.”
• Symbolism: The use of objects, colors, or actions to represent abstract ideas or concepts, adding layers of meaning and depth to a poem. E.g., a mockingbird representing innocence and purity.

What is a Poem?

A poem is a specific piece of writing that embodies the art form of poetry. It is a creative composition that uses various poetic techniques (such as rhyme, meter, imagery, and figurative language) to describe thoughts, feelings, or experiences in a condensed and artistic way.

On the other hand, poetry is a broader term that encompasses the entire genre or category of literary art characterized by rhythmic and imaginative language. Poetry refers to the collective body of works that utilize poetic techniques, while a poem is a specific example or instance of poetry.

Types of Poems

From the timeless elegance of sonnets to the lyrical beauty of haikus, join us as we delve into the intricate world of different types of poems, revealing their unique characteristics, structures, and charm.

In this section you can discover various types of poems in the following categories:

Lyric Poetry

Narrative poetry.

• Pastoral Poetry  

Dramatic Poetry

Light and satirical poetry, referential poetry, experimental poetry.

Unlike narrative poetry that tells a story, lyric poetry is more focused on capturing a particular mood, moment, or sentiment. It is a genre of poetry that expresses personal emotions, thoughts, and observations.

The themes explored in lyric poetry can vary widely, from love and nature to loss, longing, and the complexities of the human condition. By dealing with feelings that we all experience, these poems create an emotional response in readers through the power of imagery, rhythm, and the beauty of language.

Lyric poetry is written according to very specific structural rules, with each type having its own conventions and exceptions. Let’s explore the different types in detail.

A sonnet is a 14-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme, meter, and structure. It originated in Italy and became popularized in English poetry during the Renaissance.

As a result, there are two main types of sonnets:

• Petrarchan Sonnet: The original Italian sonnet is divided into an eight-line and a six-line stanza. The first section often presents a question which the second part answers. The rhyme scheme for the first part is typically ABBAABBA, while the second can follow any rhyme scheme.
• Shakespearean Sonnet: Also known as the English sonnet, this one is composed of three four-line stanzas (quatrains) and a final rhymed couplet. The rhyme scheme is typically ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Look at the start of Shakespeare’s “ Sonnet 18 ” as an example:

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? (A) Thou art more lovely and more temperate: (B) Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, (A) And summer’s lease hath all too short a date. (B)

When a poem expresses sorrow or grief over the loss of someone or something, it is called an elegy. It reflects on themes of mortality, remembrance, mourning, and the transient nature of life.

Elegies are often written as a tribute to honor a deceased, but they can also combine with broader themes, such as the decline of a way of life or the loss of innocence.

They’re usually structured in multiple four-line stanzas with an ABAB rhyme scheme, although many modern poets don’t follow these rules.

Thomas Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” reflects on the lives and deaths of the common people buried in a village churchyard, contemplating the transience of life and the legacy left behind.

It starts like this:

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day, (A) The lowing herd wind slowly o’er the lea, (B) The plowman homeward plods his weary way, (A) And leaves the world to darkness and to me. (B)

An ode is a form of lyrical poetry that is characterized by its praise, admiration, or celebration of a person, place, thing, or idea. It is a poetic expression of deep affection, enthusiasm, or reverence.

They usually consist of multiple four-line stanzas and employ a consistent rhyme scheme and meter that can either be ABAB, AABB, or any other. But it’s the regularity in rhyming and structure that is most important, not the specific conventions.

One type of ode has a fourth line that is shorter than the others in each stanza, while another type uses a shorter third line. But these rules are broken in irregular odes.

“Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats reflects on the transient nature of human existence and finds solace in the song of a nightingale. It uses 10-line stanzas of which the first goes like this:

My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk, Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains One minute past, and Lethe-wards had sunk: ‘Tis not through envy of thy happy lot, But being too happy in thine happiness,— That thou, light-winged Dryad of the trees In some melodious plot Of beechen green, and shadows numberless, Singest of summer in full-throated ease.

Stepping out of Western poetry, a haiku is a traditional Japanese poem consisting of three non-rhyming lines. It typically follows a 5-7-5 syllable pattern, with the first line containing five, the second seven, and the third five syllables.

Each poem captures a single observation, impression, emotion, or thought. While they were traditionally focused on nature, modern haiku can be written about anything at all.

Murakami Kijo wrote this little treasure about middle age:

First autumn morning (5) The mirror I stare into (7) Shows my father’s face. (5)

For those whose ideas are just a little too big for a Haiku, a cinquain is written over five lines with a syllable pattern of 2-4-6-8-2 for a total of 22 syllables. Similar to haiku, they are concise, focused on one observation, and often center on nature, but they can explore other themes too.

American poet Adelaide Crapsey’s “November Night” captures one beautiful observation:

Listen… With faint dry sound, Like steps of passing ghosts, The leaves, frost-crisp’d, break from the trees And fall.

Ghazal poems originate from Arabic and Persian literature. They traditionally consist of a first rhyming couplet, followed by couplets in which the second line rhymes with the first couplet in an AA BA CA DA structure.

Each line within the couplet is usually of equal length, and each couplet tends to be self-contained, capable of standing alone as a complete thought.

The Ghazal typically explores themes like love, desire, longing, loss, separation, and spiritual yearning, but can also touch on themes of nature, metaphysics, and divine love.

Agha Shahid Ali’s “Even the Rain” explores the themes of love, grief, memory, loss, and the persistence of sorrow:

What will suffice for a true-love knot? Even the rain? But he has bought grief’s lottery, bought even the rain. “our glosses / wanting in this world” “Can you remember?” Anyone! “when we thought / the poets taught” even the rain? After we died—That was it!—God left us in the dark. And as we forgot the dark, we forgot even the rain. Drought was over. Where was I? Drinks were on the house. For mixers, my love, you’d poured—what?—even the rain.

Blank Verse Poems

For poets who don’t like working on rhyming words, blank verse consists of unrhymed lines written in a metered scheme called iambic pentameter. This means that each line has five pairs of an unstressed and stressed syllable, resulting in a total of ten syllables per line.

Blank verse provides a balance between structure and flexibility, combining the musicality of poetry with the natural cadence of everyday speech.

Many of the characters in Shakespeare’s plays speak in blank verse. Romeo’s famous monologue from Act 2, Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet starts:

But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief That thou her maid art far more fair than she.

A villanelle is a poetic form that consists of 19 lines arranged in six stanzas, the first five with three lines and a sixth with four lines. It flows following a very specific rhyme scheme and structure of ABA ABA ABA ABA ABA ABAA.

It also employs repeated lines or refrains. The first line of the poem is repeated as the last line of the second and fourth stanzas, while the third line is repeated as the last line of the third and fifth stanzas. The final stanza, called the quatrain, uses both refrains.

The form originated from Italian folk songs and gained popularity in French poetry.

“Do not go gentle into that good night”, a poem about death by Dylan Thomas, illustrates it perfectly. Here is an extract:

Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night.

Written in only one stanza, a triolet is an eight-line classic French poem that rhymes ABAAABAB. However, it only has five distinct lines, with the first repeating as the fourth and seventh, and the second repeating as the eighth.

Thomas Hardy wrote this one called “How Great My Grief”:

How great my grief, my joys how few, Since first it was my fate to know thee! Have the slow years not brought to view How great my grief, my joys how few, Nor memory shaped old times anew, Nor loving-kindness helped to show thee How great my grief, my joys how few, Since first it was my fate to know thee?

A sestina poem consists of six stanzas followed by a final triplet (a total of 39 lines).

It is known for its intricate repetition of six end words, creating a unique pattern throughout the poem. The final word of each line in the first stanza becomes the final word of each line in subsequent stanzas, according to a set rotation. The final tercet then uses all six end words, with one word in the middle of each line and one at the end.

While capturing the mundane details of daily life, “Sestina” by Elizabeth Bishop follows these rules with first and final stanzas that read like this:

September rain falls on the house. In the failing light, the old grandmother sits in the kitchen with the child beside the Little Marvel Stove, reading the jokes from the almanac, laughing and talking to hide her tears. Time to plant tears, says the almanac. The grandmother sings to the marvelous stove and the child draws another inscrutable house.

Another French contribution to the list, rondel poems originated in medieval France. They typically consist of thirteen lines divided into three stanzas of four, four, and five lines, although some authors start with a five-line stanza and end with a six-line one. The opening phrase or line of the first stanza is repeated as the refrain at the end of the second and third stanzas.

Its rhyming scheme starts with AABB in the first stanza, and then varies from one poet to the next.

“In Flanders Fields” by soldier and poet John McCrae describes a war in Flanders Fields among the crosses and dead who were alive just days before. It starts with the refrain as a first line, as it should. Here is the first stanza:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

Because epitaph poems are very short, the language has to be concise. They are written in memory of a deceased person and are typically inscriptions found on gravestones or memorial plaques. They can encompass a range of emotions, from solemn and reflective to humorous or uplifting.

W. H. Auden wrote this epitaph in memory of W. B. Yeats :

Earth, receive an honored guest, William Yeats is laid to rest. Let the Irish vessel lie Emptied of its poetry.

Narrative poetry is a genre of poetry that tells a story or recounts a sequence of events. It uses poetic language and techniques to convey a plot, characters, and a sense of progression. Narrative poems often have a clear beginning, middle, and end, similar to traditional storytelling, and may explore themes of love, adventure, mythology, moral principles, or historical events.

The most common types of poems in this group are the epic, allegory, and ballad. Let’s have a closer look.

Possibly the hardest form of poetry to read, an allegory tells a story with hidden meanings. Its characters, events, and settings represent something else that is not verbally specified in the text. The purpose of these poems is to teach a moral lesson or convey deeper truths through symbols and metaphors. They are like a puzzle where you have to look beyond the surface to uncover the intended message of the poem.

These poems tend to employ rich imagery, figurative language, and metaphors to enhance their allegorical nature.

At the beginning of William Blake’s The Marriage of Heaven and Hell we find these two stanzas:

Once meek, and in a perilous path, The just man kept his course along The vale of death. Roses are planted where thorns grow, And on the barren heath Sing the honey bees. Then the perilous path was planted: And a river and a spring On every cliff and tomb; And on the bleached bones Red clay brought forth.

This poem represents a transformation from suffering or difficulty to wisdom or enlightenment or, given the remainder of the book’s message, probably the journey from being repressed to living out one’s wishes and desires.

Often written in book form, an epic is a long narrative poem that tells heroic stories or describes grand adventures. It often follows a larger-than-life protagonist who embarks on a remarkable journey or faces extraordinary challenges. They are known for their elevated language, epic similes, and grand scale.

They’re filled with heroic deeds, mythical creatures, and epic battles, and are often about legendary heroes and their quests, exploring themes of honor, bravery, and the human condition.

John Milton’s Paradise Lost , for example, draws on biblical themes and epic poetic storytelling to explore the Fall of Man, the temptation of Adam and Eve by Satan, the consequences of disobedience, free will, redemption, and the struggle between temptation and virtue. It doesn’t get any more epic than that.

Through a series of verses, a ballad poem tells a story. It often has a musical quality and is designed to be sung or recited. Ballads typically focus on themes of love, adventure, tragedy, or folklore, and they often have a regular rhyme scheme and a simple, repetitive structure.

They were traditionally passed down orally through generations, preserving stories and legends in a captivating and memorable way.

“The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes explores themes of loyalty, passion, betrayal, and the consequences of pursuing a dangerous life of adventure. It tells the tragic story of a daring highwayman, a robber on horseback, who is in love with Bess, the innkeeper’s daughter.

When the highwayman is betrayed to the authorities by a jealous stableman, Bess warns him but has to sacrifice her life in the process. He is then killed in an unsuccessful attempt at revenge, and the ghosts of the two lovers meet in the afterlife, riding together eternally on the highway.

Metrical Romance

The narrative poetry known as Metrical romance presents stories of chivalry, love, adventure, or tragedy. They often follow a knight or hero on a quest.

Tristan and Iseult is a story that has been told in numerous forms, in poems, operas, plays, novels and even movies. It recounts the forbidden love between Tristan, a knight, and Iseult, the Irish princess that is married to his uncle.

In the long Matthew Arnold poem, Tristram misses his Irish Iseult so much that he marries another woman called Iseult, whom he does not love. While he is on his deathbed, his Irish Iseult arrives, gives him a final kiss, and promises never to leave his side. She subsequently dies with him while his loyal wife looks on.

Pastoral Poetry

Pastoral poetry is a genre that idealizes rural life and the beauty of nature. It depicts a romanticized and peaceful natural setting, often populated by shepherds, shepherdesses, and other pastoral figures. It honors nature, which provides a setting for the ideas of love, beauty, and simplicity.

Rural life is often contrasted with urban existence as free from complexities and challenges. These poems evoke a sense of nostalgia and harmony with the natural world. They usually contain imagery and vivid descriptions of landscapes.

We will describe the most common types below.

Basic Pastoral Poetry

This is the most basic form of this genre that includes most of the elements mentioned above. The beauty of nature, a romanticized depiction of rural life, and an appeal to simplicity.

In Christopher Marlowe’s “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”, the shepherd invites his love to come and live with him, and tells a story about how good it will be. Look at the first two stanzas:

Come live with me, and be my love; And we will all the pleasures prove That hills and valleys, dales and fields, Woods, or steepy mountain yields. And we will sit upon the rocks, Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks By shallow rivers to whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.

Often the shortest type in this category, eclogues are short pastoral poems often written in dialogue form , featuring shepherds or landowners engaging in conversations about love, nature, and social issues.

Virgil’s “Eclogue 1”, for example, is a conversation between two people, one of whom has been forced off his land. He tells of his meeting with a god in Rome who answered his plea and allowed him to keep his land. He wishes his interlocutor could spend a night there with him.

It ends with:

Yet you might have rested here with me tonight on green leaves: we have ripe apples, soft chestnuts, and a wealth of firm cheeses: and now the distant cottage roofs show smoke and longer shadows fall from the high hills.

Georgic Poetry

This is where poetry meets practicality. Georgic poetry focuses on natural or rural themes, offering practical advice on farming, gardening, and agricultural pursuits.

Virgil wrote this introduction to his Georgics :

What makes the cornfield smile; beneath what star Maecenas, it is meet to turn the sod Or marry elm with vine; how tend the steer; What pains for cattle-keeping, or what proof Of patient trial serves for thrifty bees; — Such are my themes.

Pastoral Elegy

Pastoral elegies combine the pastoral setting with themes of mourning and loss, often lamenting the death of a loved one.

John Milton’s “Lycidas” mourns his friend, Edward King, who died when his ship was wrecked. It starts with:

Yet once more, O ye laurels, and once more Ye myrtles brown, with ivy never sere, I come to pluck your berries harsh and crude, And with forc’d fingers rude Shatter your leaves before the mellowing year. Bitter constraint and sad occasion dear Compels me to disturb your season due; For Lycidas is dead, dead ere his prime, Young Lycidas, and hath not left his peer.

Dramatic poetry is a genre that mimics the conventions of theater or dramatic performance through dialogue or monologue.

It is driven either by monologues or by dialogue between characters, providing insights into their thoughts, feelings, and interactions. The poet may present multiple perspectives through the voices of different characters.

There is often a narrative or plot that unfolds through the dialogue and actions of the characters. It can depict conflicts, resolutions, and other dramatic events.

Often very emotional in nature, monologue poems feature a solitary speaker who delivers an extended speech or narrative, usually revealing their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. The character addresses their monologue to someone else.

“My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning is a monologue poem in which the Duke of Ferrara reveals his thoughts and feelings about his deceased wife as he shows a portrait of her to a visitor, subtly conveying his possessiveness and controlling nature.

That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall, Looking as if she were alive. I call That piece a wonder, now; Fra Pandolf’s hands Worked busily a day, and there she stands.

Soliloquy poems are also written as monologues, but they focus on the character’s self-reflection and introspection. It is personal and confidential, and not shared with another character.

When asking “To be or not to be,” Shakespeare’s Hamlet runs through some metaphors to compare the suffering and unfairness of life and death to determine which is worse.

As a category, light and satirical poetry is characterized by its playful, amusing, and often humorous approach, aiming to entertain and bring a smile to readers’ faces.

These types of poems use devices like witty wordplay, comical situations, irony, ridicule, and satire to make fun of someone or something.

Let’s examine different forms of this genre.

Satirical Poetry

Poems that use irony, wit, humor, or ridicule to criticize vices or follies in individuals, society, or institutions are what we call satirical poetry. It employs satire as a means of social commentary, often employing exaggeration or absurdity to highlight and critique flaws. They have no structural rules.

The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll humorously follows a group of characters in search of an elusive, non-existent thing called a “Snark.” It satirizes various aspects of society and human behavior while showcasing Carroll’s whimsical wordplay.

While satirical poetry is usually humorous, it can also take on serious subjects, as in The Masque of Anarchy by Percy Bysshe Shelley. This poem offers a satirical critique of the British government and its oppressive measures during the Peterloo Massacre in 1819. Here is an extract:

I met Murder on the way – He had a mask like Castlereagh – Very smooth he looked, yet grim; Seven blood-hounds followed him: All were fat; and well they might Be in admirable plight, For one by one, and two by two, He tossed the human hearts to chew Which from his wide cloak he drew.

An epigram poem is a concise and witty statement that expresses a clever or insightful idea. It aims to convey a sharp or satirical observation, often with a humorous or ironic twist.

American poet Ogden Nash wrote “Ice Breaking”, which is one of the most famous ones:

Candy Is dandy, But liquor Is quicker.

Short, humorous poems with a light-hearted, often nonsensical tone are called limericks. They consist of five lines with an AABBA rhyme scheme, where the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme, and the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other. They often include wordplay, clever twists, or surprise endings.

British poet Edward Lear wrote many of them, including this classic:

There was an Old Man with a beard Who said, “It is just as I feared! Two Owls and a Hen, Four Larks and a Wren, Have all built their nests in my beard!”

Clerihews are four-line poems that focus on a person or character, typically with humorous and light-hearted observations. They often have an AABB rhyme scheme and are known for their witty and satirical tone.

Here, their inventor, Edmund Clerihew Bentley, pretends that the chemist Sir Humphrey Davy is upset about the fact that gravy contains so much sodium, the very element that Davy discovered.

Sir Humphrey Davy Abominated gravy. He lived in the odium Of having discovered Sodium.

Referential poems use the arrangement of their words to refer to something else, such as a person, poem, or object, usually to pay tribute.

There are two common types that we will describe below.

Acrostic poems

In acrostic poems, the first letter (or sometimes other specific letters) of each line, when read vertically from top to bottom, spell out a word, name, or phrase. The selected word or phrase is usually related to the subject or theme of the poem, but can also refer to something else. The rest of the structure is up to the poet.

“A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky” appears at the end of Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass . The first letter of each line spells out the name of the real-life Alice, Alice Pleasance Liddell. The “Alice” portion goes like this:

A boat beneath a sunny sky, Lingering onward dreamily In an evening of July — Children three that nestle near, Eager eye and willing ear,

Golden Shovel Poems

Created by American poet Terrance Hayes, golden shovel poems pay homage to a chosen line or lines from an existing poem. This is the newest poetic form on this list.

A line or lines from an existing poem serve as the “spine” of the new poem. Each word in the selected line is then used as the last word in each line of the new poem, in order. The poet then writes new lines that build upon or respond to the selected line.

“The Golden Shovel” by Terrance Hayes is the original Golden shovel poem that inspired the form itself. It uses Gwendolyn Brooks’ poem “We Real Cool” as the source material, with each word from Brooks’ poem serving as the last word in each line of Hayes’ poem. You can see the “We Real Cool” in the first three lines:

When I am so small Da’s sock covers my arm, we cruise at twilight until we find the place the real men lean, bloodshot and translucent with cool.

A broad poetic category known as experimental poetry pushes the boundaries of traditional poetic conventions. It encompasses various innovative and unconventional approaches, often challenging conventional forms, structures, language usage, and thematic exploration.

Poetry that does not adhere to the traditional rules of meter, rhyme, or specific poetic forms is known as free verse. It is characterized by its freedom from strict structure, allowing poets to experiment with line breaks, rhythm, and language without the constraints of predetermined patterns.

“Howl” by Allen Ginsberg, for example, uses 112 non-rhyming paragraph-like lines to describe scenes from the beat generation, with hardly any punctuation except for commas. Here is an extract:

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix, angelheaded hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of night, who poverty and tatters and hollow-eyed and high sat up smoking in the supernatural darkness of cold-water flats floating across the tops of cities contemplating jazz,

Prose Poems

Prose poems combine the elements of poetry and prose. Unlike traditional poems, which use line breaks and stanzas, they are written in prose form, with sentences and paragraphs that flow without the typical line breaks associated with poetry. The poets do use other poetic elements, however, like alliteration, metaphor, metered structure, and soft rhyming. It originated in 19th-century France.

Look at the natural flow of this excerpt from “Spring Day” by Amy Lowell:

The day is fresh-washed and fair, and there is a smell of tulips and narcissus in the air. The sunshine pours in at the bath-room window and bores through the water in the bath-tub in lathes and planes of greenish-white. It cleaves the water into flaws like a jewel, and cracks it to bright light.

Erasure Poems

Created by selectively erasing or blacking out words from an existing text, erasure poems reveal a new composition. The poet takes an existing source text, such as a newspaper article, book page, or even a poem, and removes or obscures certain words to create a new poetic work. The poem can be written with lines or stanzas, or it can be left on the original text.

Austin Kleon has written a whole book of surprisingly deep poems by crossing out bits of newspaper columns. He appropriately called it Newspaper Blackout .

Echo verse is a poetic form that emphasizes repetition within the structure of the poem. It deliberately repeats certain words, phrases, or sounds at specific intervals throughout the poem, creating a rhythmic and musical effect.

In a haunting poem called “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe, the phrases “Annabel Lee” and “the sea” are repeated throughout, emphasizing the speaker’s undying love for his dead beloved. It begins:

It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of Annabel Lee; And this maiden she lived with no other thought Than to love and be loved by me. I was a child and she was a child, In this kingdom by the sea, But we loved with a love that was more than love— I and my Annabel Lee—

Concrete Poetry

In concrete poetry, the visual presentation of the text on the page is an integral part of the poem’s meaning and expression. The arrangement of words, letters, and symbols on the page forms a visual representation that complements or enhances the content of the poem.

“The Mouse’s Tale” by Lewis Carroll appears in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland . It takes the form of a long, winding, and visually intricate tail (pun intended) that visually depicts the narrative of a mouse’s adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we will address common questions about poetry, its definitions, and its characteristics.

What are the Main Types of Poetry?

The most important and enduring types of poetry include the sonnet, haiku, ballad, ode, elegy, limerick, epic, and free verse, each with its own unique characteristics.

Poetry vs. Poem: What’s the Difference?

Poetry refers to the broad category of literary art characterized by the use of imaginative and rhythmic language to evoke emotions, express ideas, and explore the human condition. A poem, on the other hand, is a specific piece of writing that embodies the art form of poetry. In other words, poetry is the artistic category, while a poem is a specific example of it in practice. Like a garden is made up of many flowers, poetry is made up of many poems.

Does Poetry Have to Rhyme?

No, poetry does not have to rhyme. While rhyming is a common poetic technique, it is not a requirement for a piece of writing to be considered poetry. Free verse, for example, is a form of poetry that does not rely on rhyme.

What is a Poem That Doesn’t Rhyme Called?

A poem that doesn’t rhyme is called “free verse”, a type of poetry that has no formal rules and constraints. It allows poets greater freedom and flexibility in terms of structure, line breaks, and rhythm. Instead of relying on rhyme, free verse emphasizes other poetic elements such as imagery, symbolism, and figurative language.

Are Poetry Books Popular?

There is a strong and dedicated readership for poetry, and an increasing number of people now read it. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, 11.7% of American adults read poetry, the highest numbers since they started their surveys.

What Makes Good Poetry?

Good poetry evokes strong emotions, uses descriptive and imaginative language, explores profound ideas or themes, is written in concise style, and pays attention to the musicality and rhythm of words.

Is Poetry a Form of Art?

Yes, poetry is a form of art, celebrated for its creative and imaginative use of language and its ability to capture the essence of human experiences in a condensed and memorable way.

Final Thoughts

Exploring the diverse world of poetry reveals a rich tapestry of forms and styles that transcend all boundaries. Whether it’s the rhythmic elegance of a sonnet or the visual intricacy of concrete poetry, these diverse forms remind us that poetry is a vibrant and ever-evolving art form that continues to inspire and captivate readers across generations.

So, let these examples be an invitation to explore, experiment, and embrace the infinite world of poetic expression.

Craft of Writing Quiz (Hard)

Yves Lummer

As the founder of BookBird, Yves Lummer has pioneered a thriving community for authors, leading more than 100,000 of them towards their dreams of self-publishing. His expertise in book marketing has become a catalyst for multiple best-sellers, establishing his reputation as an influential figure in the publishing world.

Elements of a Story: 8 Story Elements Explained

February 6, 2024

170 Book Puns: Funny Puns & Jokes You’ll Never Forget

February 4, 2024

Side Character: Definition, Examples & Writing Tips

How to Start a Story: 10 Secret Writing Tips

Inciting Incident: Definition, Purpose & Examples

January 23, 2024

Biography vs. Autobiography vs. Memoir: Art of Life Stories

November 22, 2023

Privacy Overview

Want to sell more Books?

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

Don't Miss the Grand Prize: A $2,500 Office Depot/OfficeMax Card!

15 Types of Poetry To Share With Kids (Plus Examples of Each)

Sonnets, limericks, free verse, haiku, and more.

Poetry can be a hard sell for kids. It’s not always easy for them to connect with, and getting them to try writing their own is even harder. But it might help them to learn that there are many types of poetry, not just Shakespearean sonnets. Show them these 15 types of poetry, including excellent examples of each, and they might just find something they really like!

In an acrostic, the first letter of each line spells out a word or phrase that’s generally related to the topic of the poem. There are several different types of acrostic, including a double acrostic where both the first and last letter of each line spell out a message. Another type of acrostic is the abecedarian, where the first letter of each line goes in alphabetical order. Acrostics are often one of the first types of poetry kids learn, by writing a poem using the letters of their own name.

Example: A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky, by Lewis Carroll

This is one of the oldest types of poetry, with ancient examples that were passed down orally through the centuries. A ballad tells the story of a person or event. Traditional ballades had four stanzas, with a repeated line called a refrain and a set rhyme scheme . Over time, they evolved to a slightly less structured form, with shorter rhyming stanzas (often four lines, known as a “quatrain.”) Ballads and epics are similar, since both tell stories of people or events, but ballads are shorter.

Example: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Blackout Poetry

Source: Austin Kleon

These poems are unique in that they use something that’s already been written, and strike out most of the text to leave only selected words and phrases. These are fun for kids to play around with, using pages from books or magazines. Blackout poetry is usually non-rhyming free verse, since the author is limited to the words already on the page. Contemporary author Austin Kleon has become well-known for his newspaper blackout poems.

Example: How To Improve, by Austin Kleon

Blank Verse

Blank verse doesn’t rhyme, but it’s a structured form of poetry in terms of meter. These poems are almost always written in iambic pentameter (da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM). It was particularly popular during Shakespeare’s time and remained a common choice for poets like William Wordsworth, John Keats, and Robert Frost.

Example: Mending Wall, by Robert Frost

Anyone who recognizes that “cinq” often indicates the number five will find it easy to remember that a cinquain (pronounced “sing-KANE”) is a five-line poem. According to Poets.org, cinquains generally follow a rhyme scheme of ababb, abaab, or abccb, though they are not required to rhyme at all. Multiple cinquains can be linked together to form a longer poem.

Poet Adelaide Crapsey invented a specific type of cinquain (sometimes called the American cinquain), which has one stress in the first line, two in the second, three in the third, four in the fourth, and one in the fifth. This poetry type is popular in classrooms, since the strict structure helps students create their own poems.

Example: Snow, by Adelaide Crapsey

Concrete Poetry

Source: @poetrymagazine

Poems written in this form take the shape of the item they’re describing. They can be written in any style, as long as the formatting creates a shape related to the words.

Example: Sonnet in the Shape of a Potted Christmas Tree, by George Starbuck

In an elegy, the poet writes of sadness, grief, or loss. They’re often written in response to a death. Elegies can be any sort of poem in terms of meter and rhyme scheme (or they don’t need to rhyme at all). Traditional elegies follow a specific form. First is the “lament,” where the speaker tells of their sadness. Then, the author praises the dead or lost, and finally finishes with words of consolation, offering hope for the future.

Example: O Captain! My Captain!, by Walt Whitman

Like a ballad, an epic tells the story of an event or person. Epics are much longer than ballads, though, often even book-length. Like ballads, this form of narrative poetry has been around for centuries and frequently tells tales of superhuman deeds and incredible adventures.

Example: The Odyssey, by Homer

This is the most open form of poetry, with no rhythmical, rhyme, or other requirements. It often mimics the flow of regular speech, but it is set apart from prose by its use of line breaks and poetic devices like imagery, alliteration, and more.

Example: The Red Wheelbarrow, by William Carlos Williams

This Japanese style is highly structured and often focuses on nature. They seek to capture a brief moment in time in powerful words and phrases. The poems are written in three lines, with five syllables in the first, seven syllables in the second, and five in the third. That format is sometimes broken, especially when poems are translated from one language to another, but they will always contain just three meaningful lines.

Example: The West Wind Whispered, by R.M. Hansard

Want a laugh? Read some limericks! These structured poems have been around for a long time. They contain five lines, using the aabba rhyme scheme. Generally, the first, second, and fifth lines are longer, while the third and fourth are shorter. The fifth line is often like the punchline to the joke. Some limericks are downright bawdy, but there are lots of kid-friendly examples. They’re also a fun form for kids to experiment with. Edward Lear was a master of limericks.

Example: There Was an Old Man With a Beard, by Edward Lear

Narrative Poetry

This is a broad category, and it includes types of poetry like epics and ballads. You’ll know you’re reading a narrative poem when it has a plot, with a beginning, middle, and end. Over the years, they’ve been written to record history and extol the virtues of famous people. Narrative poetry has been popular since the days of the Greeks, and it continues to be beloved today.

Example: Paul Revere’s Ride, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

These poems celebrate a person, place, thing, or idea. They can be written in any form (though there are odes that have specific formats, like Horatian odes ) and be of any length. Odes differ from ballads or epics in that they don’t generally have a plot. Unlike elegies, they don’t focus on grief or loss. Instead, they tell of the subject in glowing, descriptive terms, aiming to impress the reader.

Example: Ode to the West Wind, by Percy Bysshe Shelley

This is one of the most famous (and structured) types of poetry, immortalized by geniuses like Shakespeare and Milton. There are two classic types of sonnets, both with 14 lines written in iambic pentameter .

Petrarchan Sonnet

Petrarch was an Italian poet of the 14th century. Though he didn’t invent this form of sonnet, he mastered it so well it’s now known by his name. It has two stanzas. The first stanza has eight lines, with an abba, abba rhyme scheme. The second stanza has six lines, and the rhyme scheme can be cde cde, or cdcdcd. Petrarchan sonnets often present a question or argument in the first half, with a conclusion or counterargument in the second.

Example: How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43), by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Shakespearean Sonnet

After sonnets were introduced to England, poets made some alterations to the rhyme scheme and format. A Shakespearean sonnet has three quatrains (sections of four lines each), followed by a couplet of two lines. The rhyme scheme is abab, cdcd, efef, gg. This gave writers a little more leeway, since it can be harder to find rhyming words in English than in the Romance languages. Shakespeare perfected the form, writing 154 sonnets in this style.

Example: Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day? (Sonnet 18), by William Shakespeare

Also check out 24 Famous Poets Your Students Should Know .

Plus, sign up for our free newsletters to get all the latest teaching tips and ideas straight to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

15 Best Poetry Websites for Kids, Teens, Teachers, and Classrooms

Verses of every kind, for every kind of poet! Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

• Scriptwriting

Different Types of Poems and Poem Structures — A Writer’s Guide

• What is a Poem
• What is a Stanza in a Poem
• What is Dissonance
• What is a Sonnet
• What is a Haiku
• What is Prose
• What is an Ode
• What is Repetition in Poetry
• How to Write a Poem
• Types of Poems Guide
• What is an Acrostic Poem
• What is an Epic Poem
• What is Lyric Poetry

D id you know that some language and anthropology scholars believe that poetry predates literacy? Poetry is one of the world’s oldest and most venerated art forms. As storytellers, there’s simply a ton of value in learning more about what makes poetry so special, as well as what makes it so historically important. We’re going to break down the history of poetry by looking at some examples from William Shakespeare and Langston Hughes. By the end, you’ll know how poetry started, what different types of poems there are, and how you can become a master of the craft — but first, a bit of history.

All Types of Poems

What types of poems are there.

What are the different types of poems? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, first let’s consider this: “when we read poetry less as a form and more as a concept, we can see the poetic all around us.” Perhaps it’s helpful to think of poetry as an artistic medium rather than a structural form.

I’ve found that focusing less on the intricacies of form, and more on the feeling that poetry evokes has helped me appreciate poetry more, whether it be blank-verse, prose poetry, or rap. That quote was taken from a TED-ed by Melissa Kovacs. I highly recommend you check out the video below:

Types of Poem Structures  •  What Makes a Poem … a Poem?

No matter who you are, you’re bound to have preconceptions about poetry — I know I did and, in many ways, still do. There's a large swath of people who believe poetry is an elitist, self-congratulatory field — and that’s a well-warranted perspective; there certainly are a lot of stuck-up poets.

But hey, maybe that’s what comes with four thousand years of history — perhaps one day film will be regarded in the same way. Without further ado, let’s jump into a poem definition.

POEM DEFINITION

What is a poem.

A poem is a piece of writing that relies on rhyme, rhythm and meter to evoke feeling, or to convey setting and story. There are dozens of different poetic forms, such as verse, haiku, sonnet, and ballad. Although poems aren’t defined by their forms, they are distinguished by them.

Characteristics of Poetry

• Emphasis on Meter
• Often Involves Rhyming
• Meant to Tell a Story or Evoke Emotion

Origins of Poetry

The first types of poems were epic.

We can trace poetry all the way back to the Ancient world, in Egypt, Greece, India, and Sumeria. Some of the most influential poems of all time come from this period, and they were epic. No, not epic as in the adjective “epic” but epic in the sense that they were epic poems. But what are epic poems?

Epic poems are poems of extraordinary length that usually follow a hero’s journey across a vast, and often mythological world.

Examples of epic poems: The  Epic of Gilgamesh  (Sumeria), Beowulf (England), The Iliad (Greece), The Odyssey (Greece), The Mahābhārata (India) , The Ramayana (India) , and The Divine Comedy (Italy).

For more on how The Epic of Gilgamesh laid the groundwork for Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey template, check out the video below:

Types of Poems and Examples  •  The Original Hero’s Journey

Nowadays, epic poems have gone out of style, but the core idea of what made them so great, lives on in literature, film, and video games.

Epic poems weren’t the only types of poems that existed in the ancient world -- there were different kinds of poems as well, like those of the lyric and dramatic kind. During this period, China had its own different kinds of poems as well, which we refer to today as the Classic of Poetry .

Lyric Poems

Lyric poems are personal poems, usually written in the first person, and often accompanied by some sort of musical instrumentation. Iambs and trochees are often used in lyrical poems. One could argue that Shakespeare’s use of iambic pentameter is poetic, although he used it mostly in his plays.

Dramatic Poems

Dramatic poems are poems that are meant to be spoken aloud. The subject matter of dramatic poems are almost always tragic.

The Different Kinds of Poems

Middle age of poetry brought rhythm .

The renaissance period brought about enormous change to the world of poetry. Playwrights like William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and Ben Jonson, introduced a new poetic form to theater called blank verse.

Blank verse is a non-rhyming poetic form that features a specific meter; often iambic pentameter.

But perhaps the most famous poetic form during this period was the sonnet; invented by Italian poet Giacomo da Lentini. But what is a sonnet? This next video explains everything you need to know:

Types of Poems and Examples  •  Shakespeare’s Sonnets

A sonnet is a 14-line poem that adheres to a loose structure and has a variable rhyme scheme. Here’s a sonnet example:

Romeo and Juliet , by William Shakespeare

Two households, both alike in dignity,

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes

A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life;

Whose misadventured piteous overthrows

Do with their death bury their parents’ strife.

The fearful passage of their death-mark’d love,

And the continuance of their parents’ rage,

Which, but their children’s end, nought could remove,

Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage;

The which if you with patient ears attend,

What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.

Although this example is taken from one of Shakespeare’s plays, other examples appear in the sonnets Shakespeare wrote outside of his work in the theater. Elsewhere in the world, new poetic forms emerged.

In 17th century Japan, the haiku was born, albeit under a different name (hokku). In many ways, haiku epitomizes what we talked about earlier -- poetry is meant to be a reflection of what surrounds us. But what is a haiku?

Common Types of Poems  •  The Power of the Daily Haiku

A haiku is a three-line poem that uses a syllabic 5-7-5 structure. Here’s an example from Matsuo Basho, the man who many call the master of haiku:

An old silent pond-

A frog jumps into the pond,

splash! Silence again.

Modern Poetry

Contemporary types of poems.

Nowadays, poetic forms are taught to kids in school. Some of the most popular poetic forms for beginners are acrostic poems and concrete poems. Both of these types of poems are used to activate the minds of the reader. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples:

An acrostic is a poem that uses the first letter of each line to spell out a message, name, or title. Here’s an example of an acrostic poem, titled “An Acrostic” by Edgar Allan Poe:

E lizabeth it is in vain you say

" L ove not" - thou sayest it in so sweet a way:

I n vain those words from thee or L. E. L.

Z antippe's talents had enforced so well:

A h! if that language from thy heart arise,

B reathe it less gently forth - and veil thine eyes.

E ndymion, recollect, when Luna tried

T o cure his love - was cured of all beside -

H is folly - pride - and passion - for he died.

The first letter of each line spells out the name “Elizabeth” whom the poem is dedicated. Concrete poems are an especially creative form for young writers to practice. But what are concrete poems?

Concrete Poems

Concrete poems are structured to make a specific shape. The image below is an example of a concrete poem, titled “Walt Whitman” by Edwin Honig.

Types of Poems and Examples  •  Concrete Poetry

As you can see, Honig’s “Walt Whitman” is shaped as a pine tree. But the classroom wasn’t the only place where poetry has been taking new forms.

During the 20th century, poetry was used as a tool for social resistance on the street. Writers like Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes used poetry to offer insight into the experiences of black Americans.

By the 1920s, an artistic revolution was underway in urban centers, particularly in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. This next video explores the importance of the Harlem Renaissance:

Types of Rhyming Poems in the Harlem Renaissance

Hughes’ used influence from jazz and blues music to give a lot of his poetry a unique rhythm. Although not directly, Hughes’ rhythm would go on to inspire Rudy Ray Moore, and subsequently, the birth of rap music. Here’s an example of one of Hughes’ most famous poems, “I, Too.”

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.

They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes,

But I laugh,

And eat well,

And grow strong.

I’ll be at the table

When company comes.

Nobody’ll dare

“Eat in the kitchen,”

They’ll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed—

I, too, am America.

In 2018, Kendrick Lamar won the Pulitzer Prize for Music, marking a huge step-forward for contemporary poetry. This next video explains how Lamar won one of the writing world’s most prestigious awards:

How Kendrick Lamar Won the Pulitzer Prize

Hip-hop is just one popular poetic form that’s used today — many of the forms we talked about earlier are still used by creative writers and academics. By tracing poetry’s evolution, we can begin to identify a trend that shows how poetry is perhaps the most iconic type of writing for reflecting our innate understanding of the world.

What is iambic pentameter?

We briefly talked about iambic pentameter in this article but there’s so much more to it than what we touched on here. In the next article, we break down everything you need to know about iambic pentameter, with examples from Shakespeare plays, poems, and rap songs. By the end, you’ll be ready to apply iambic pentameter in your own works, or recognize it in others’.

Up Next: Iambic Pentameter →

Write and produce your scripts all in one place..

Write and collaborate on your scripts FREE . Create script breakdowns, sides, schedules, storyboards, call sheets and more.

• Pricing & Plans
• Product Updates
• Featured On
• StudioBinder Partners
• The Ultimate Guide to Call Sheets (with FREE Call Sheet Template)
• How to Break Down a Script (with FREE Script Breakdown Sheet)
• The Only Shot List Template You Need — with Free Download
• Managing Your Film Budget Cashflow & PO Log (Free Template)
• A Better Film Crew List Template Booking Sheet
• Best Storyboard Softwares (with free Storyboard Templates)
• Movie Magic Scheduling
• Gorilla Software
• Storyboard That

A visual medium requires visual methods. Master the art of visual storytelling with our FREE video series on directing and filmmaking techniques.

We’re in a golden age of TV writing and development. More and more people are flocking to the small screen to find daily entertainment. So how can you break put from the pack and get your idea onto the small screen? We’re here to help.

• Making It: From Pre-Production to Screen
• How to Get a Film Permit — A Step-by-Step Breakdown
• How to Make a Storyboard — Ultimate Guide with Free Storyboard Templates
• VFX vs. CGI vs. SFX — Decoding the Debate
• What is a Freeze Frame — The Best Examples & Why They Work
• TV Script Format 101 — Examples of How to Format a TV Script
• 77 Facebook
• 15 Pinterest
• 17 LinkedIn

15 Different Types of Poem Everyone Should Know

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

There are many types of poem in the world, and even one particular verse form can be written in a variety of ways: to take just one example, there is the sonnet, but there are Petrarchan sonnets and Shakespearean sonnets and Spenserian sonnets, all of them requiring a rather different rhyme scheme.

Below, we introduce some of the commonest, and most important, types of poem there are, and provide an example of each poem type. This list shows just how multifarious the world of poetry can be. Below, we find poems that rhyme and poems that do not, short poems and longer poems, poems with a fixed length and those with no set number of lines whatsoever. It really does depend on the verse form.

Perhaps the most ubiquitous type of poem, and therefore the perfect place to begin our odyssey of verse forms and varieties, the lyric is named for the lyre , the harp-like instrument played since classical times. Sappho, the pioneering ancient Greek love poet, wrote short poems expressing her feelings of desire and love and regret and heartache and a myriad other things, and her poems were meant to be accompanied by music played on the lyre.

Thus the ‘lyric’ was born. These days, a lyric poem is essentially any poem which expresses the thoughts and feelings of a speaker, rather than telling a story, or teaching us a moral lesson, and so forth. As you can imagine, this is quite a broad definition, and that is why the lyric is literally everywhere in modern verse.

Here’s a brief example of a lyric poem: Edward Thomas’s ‘ Tall Nettles ’.

A lyric poem is a kind or type of poem, but it requires no specific form. One of the most popular forms that a lyric can take, however, is the sonnet. Sonnets are almost always fourteen lines (though Gerard Manley Hopkins experimented with a shorter form, and George Meredith with a longer), and usually (though not always) focus on a single speaker describing a scene or expressing their feelings.

Because love poets from Petrarch to Shakespeare have written them, sonnets are closely associated with love poetry in the popular imagination.

We describe the specific forms a sonnet can take in more detail in a separate post , and recommend this poem as an example of the form: Christina Rossetti’s ‘ Remember ’.

Blank Verse.

Sonnets are almost always written in iambic pentameter . This means that each comprises five metrical feet, and these feet are usually iambs. An iamb itself comprises two syllables: one carrying a light stress and the other a heavy stress. You can hear this alternation of light and heavy stresses in this line of iambic pentameter, from Romeo and Juliet :

But SOFT! what LIGHT through YON-der WIN-dow BREAKS?

Many lines in Shakespeare’s plays are written not just in iambic pentameter, but in unrhymed iambic pentameter. This is known as blank verse, because the rhymes are, as it were, left blank. We recommend Wordsworth’s ‘ Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey ’ as a fine example of the speechlike, even conversational, quality to blank verse.

Free Verse.

Often confused with blank verse, free verse goes one further than blank verse, we might say: it does without not only rhyme but a regular metre as well. Robert Frost memorably mocked free verse as ‘like playing tennis with the net down’, on the basis that a poet needs a structure to work within.

But the best poets who have written in free verse have used the form – or rather, this absence of form – intelligently and to their advantage. For one example, see Audre Lorde’s poem ‘ Coal ’.

Villanelle.

The villanelle is very different from free verse, as it’s one of the tightest and most restrictive verse forms there is. Originating in Italy as a song which accompanied dancing, the villanelle is made up of nineteen lines and uses just two different rhymes throughout.

As if that isn’t demanding enough, the poem repeats the first and third lines multiple times throughout the poem, so these two lines serve as refrains. This can create a claustrophobic effect as the poem keeps circling back to the same preoccupations, but this can be used to the poet’s advantage, as in Sylvia Plath’s early poem ‘Mad Girl’s Love Song’.

However, the most famous example of a villanelle in English is surely Dylan Thomas’ 1952 poem about his dying father, ‘ Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night ’, where the two refrains serve as a rallying call to the poet’s father to keep up the fight to the very end.

The sestina is possibly even more demanding than the villanelle: put briefly, it consists of six six-line stanzas, with the lines of each stanza ending with the same six words used in rotation: so if the word cold is the last word of the first stanza, cold will also come at the end of the first line of the second stanza, and so on.

But the best way to see how the sestina works is to observe an example: we recommend Elizabeth Bishop’s poem, simply called ‘ Sestina ’, which shows how the six repeated words can take on new significance as they are repeated in each stanza.

Strictly speaking, a cinquain should conform to the ‘rules’ set out by the American poet Adelaide Crapsey (1878-1914) in her five-line poems: the first line has one heavy stress, the second line two, and third three, and fourth four, and the fifth and final line has just one heavy stress.

We have collected some of Crapsey’s best cinquains together in a separate post.

Narrative Poem.

A narrative poem is, in the broadest sense, any poem which tells a story. This means that some of the greatest narrative poems are fairly long. What they all have in common is a recognisable story that goes beyond the brief tableau (or series of tableaux) we might get in a lyric poem.

See John Keats’s great Halloween poem ‘ The Eve of St. Agnes ’ for a fine example from the era of Romanticism.

Some of the oldest poems in various cultures are epics: stories which tell of the founding of a great city or empire, or which provide a shared narrative to bring a particular people together. But strictly speaking, an epic poem is a long narrative poem dealing with ‘epic’ themes and subject-matter: war, adventure, a clash of civilisations, and many other things.

Epic poems, then, feature extraordinary characters doing extraordinary things, usually with a quick visit to the underworld slotted in somewhere on the itinerary. They are narrative poems, but on an ‘epic’ scale.

Ancient Rome has Virgil’s Aeneid , about the Trojan adventurer who, according to legend, travelled to Italy after the Trojan War; Greece has Homer’s Iliad , about the war between the Greeks and Trojans; and England has Beowulf , one of the earliest Anglo-Saxon poems. Going back even further, the Descent of Inanna – which predates even Homer by more than a thousand years – is a kind of proto-epic, and a sacred poem to the long-vanished Sumerian civilisation.

Like epic poems, ballads may be regarded as a subset of narrative poetry. They usually have a very specific form: quatrains of alternating lines of tetrameter (four feet per line) and trimeter (three feet per line), rhymed abcb .

We have selected ten of the most famous ballads here . Ballads were a popular form of poetry in the Middle Ages – popular with the lower classes perhaps even more than with the upper classes – because they could be sung in taverns by travelling singers, and thus enjoyed even by people who had never been taught to read.

Although there are various kinds of ode, at the fundamental level an ode is a poem written to something or someone. It has a clear and recognisable subject. So Keats’s ‘ Ode to a Nightingale ’ is a poem of praise addressed to the bird, for instance.

The two main classical kinds of ode were the Pindaric (which was rather lofty and high-flown) and the Horatian (named after Horace). Horatian odes were much more down-to-earth and intimate than the more formal and public nature of the Pindaric ode.

An elegy is a poem about someone who has died. There are many great examples in English literature: W. H. Auden’s ‘ Funeral Blues ’ is a popular modern example (featured in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral ).

Elegies are usually mourning the person who has died, but sometimes they can be satirical, as in Jonathan Swift’s ‘ A Satirical Elegy on the Death of a Late Famous General ’, about John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, which mocks the late duke rather than mourning his death.

Probably the best-known five-line poem in English, although nobody is quite sure how this type of poem came to be named after a place in Ireland. A limerick tends to be comical and much of the humour turns on the build-up to the rhyme in the last line (which also rhymes with the first two lines).

However, when the children’s writer Edward Lear popularised the form in the 1840s, he offered clean versions (of course!), although his limericks were marred by a sense of anticlimax (in that the last line shared the same last word as the first line). We have collected some of the funniest limericks in a separate post .

Not to be confused with an epigraph (a quotation which prefaces a book, poem, or chapter) or an epitaph (an inscription on a gravestone), an epigram is a short, pithy poem which usually makes a wise and/or witty point. Many of the poems of Ogden Nash can be categorised as epigrams.

A Japanese form which, when used in English at least, contains three lines, with the lines comprising five syllables, seven syllables, and five syllables respectively, adding up (always) to seventeen.

Strictly, a haiku should take nature as its theme, as we’ve discussed in our separate article about the form. Here’s an example from the Japanese master of the haiku, Bashō (1644-94):

A caterpillar, this deep in fall – still not a butterfly.

Discover more from Interesting Literature

Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.

Type your email…

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Poetry 101: 13 Different Types of Poems With Examples

This post may contains affiliate links. If you click and buy we may make a commission, at no additional charge to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

If you’re not familiar with a lot of poetry, reading or writing your own poetry can seem a little daunting at first. There are countless poetic forms and styles, and a lot of them have rigid rules and structures to follow, which can feel intimidating. 

Maybe you struggled in English class to remember the difference between a sonnet and a haiku, and since leaving school, you’ve distanced yourself from poetry altogether. Or maybe you’re already a poetry fan with a collection of poetry books ; either way, we could all benefit from brushing up on our knowledge and learning about the huge array of different types of poems out there, so we can enjoy more of this wonderful art form. Once you’re more accustomed to “the rules,” you’ll be able to enjoy reading poetry a lot more, and you may even feel inspired to put pen to paper and write your own poems.

In this guide, I’ll cover thirteen different types of poems and provide examples of each. It’s by no means an exhaustive list, there are an incredible amount of poetic forms out there, but these are the basics. 

Table of Contents

1. The Sonnet

The sonnet, literally meaning “little song,” is one of the most famous forms of poetry that people are generally most familiar with. Sonnets originated in 13 th Century Italy, in the Sicilian school of court poets. The form quickly gained popularity and spread to Tuscany, where it was made famous by the poet Petrarch. 

Traditionally, sonnets have 14 lines and usually contain common themes of love and romance. But to make things a little more complicated, there’s not just one form of a sonnet; there’s two.

The first is the Petrarchan sonnet, sometimes referred to as the Italian sonnet. But there is also the famous Shakespearean Sonnet, otherwise known as Elizabethan sonnets. These originated in the 16 th century after they were brought to England from Italy by Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard. 

What is the difference been a Petrarchan sonnet and a Shakespearean sonnet?

The main difference between these two types of sonnets is the rhyme schemes. Rhyme schemes are illustrated in coded letters of the alphabet, for example, ABAB. Lines that are assigned the same letter rhyme with each other, so, in the ABAB example, the first line and the third line rhyme with each other, and the second and the fourth line also rhyme with each other. 

In a Petrarchan sonnet, the 14 lines are divided into an octet (a group of eight lines) and a sestet (a group of 6 lines). The octlet has a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA, and the sestet has variable rhyme schemes, e.g., CDD CEE or CD CD CD. There is a pause between the octet and the sestet, which signifies a shift in the poem’s tone ; this is called a volta.

Shakespearean sonnets are designed for English rather than Italian, and so their format was adapted to suit the language. Just like Petrarchan sonnets, they also have 14 lines, but they are split into different groups. There are three quatrains (a group of 4 lines) and a rhyming couplet (2 lines) at the end. The rhyme scheme for Shakespearean sonnets is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Here’s an example of a sonnet written in the traditional Petrarchan /Italian format:

“How Do I Love Thee?” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning 

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of being and ideal grace. I love thee to the level of every day’s Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for right. I love thee purely, as they turn from praise. I love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.

And for a prime example of a Shakespearean sonnet , lets look to the man himself:

My Mistress’ Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun, by William Shakespeare 

My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips’ red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damasked, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks; And in some perfumes is there more delight Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. I love to hear her speak, yet well I know That music hath a far more pleasing sound; I grant I never saw a goddess go; My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground. And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare.

2. The Haiku

You might remember haiku poems from your high school English class. These short poems are popular assignments for students in creative writing, and they can be super fun to play around with, especially if you’re pretty new to writing your own poetry. 

Haikus originate in Japan, after being popularized by the famous Edo poet Matsuo Bashō in the 17 th century. 

A haiku generally consists of just 17 syllables arranged over three lines. The first and the third line each has five syllables, whereas the second line has seven. 

Today, there are popular haikus that cover a huge range of subject matters. Still, traditionally the haiku contained themes of the natural world and often spoke of the changes of the seasons and contrasting organic themes. 

Here’s a classic example of a traditional Japanese haiku.

“Over the Wintry” by Natsume Sōseki

Over the wintry Forest, winds howl in rage With no leaves to blow.

3. The Sestina

The sestina is another popular type of traditional poem which has its origins in 12th century France. These usually unrhyming poems have strong patterns of repetition and a rigid structure that is quite complex. But once you get the hang it, sestinas become easier to identify since they are unlike anything else.  

The sestina consists of six stanzas, each six lines long, plus a final 3 line stanza. The last words of the first stanza are then repeated in a different order at the end of each remaining five stanzas. The final three-line stanza contains all of the six repeated words. 

Here’s a classic example of a sestina by Algernon Charles Swinburne

I saw my soul at rest upon a day       As a bird sleeping in the nest of night, Among soft leaves that give the starlight way       To touch its wings but not its eyes with light; So that it knew as one in visions may,       And knew not as men waking, of delight. This was the measure of my soul’s delight;       It had no power of joy to fly by day, Nor part in the large lordship of the light;       But in a secret moon-beholden way Had all its will of dreams and pleasant night,       And all the love and life that sleepers may. But such life’s triumph as men waking may       It might not have to feed its faint delight Between the stars by night and sun by day,       Shut up with green leaves and a little light; Because its way was as a lost star’s way,       A world’s not wholly known of day or night. All loves and dreams and sounds and gleams of night       Made it all music that such minstrels may, And all they had they gave it of delight;       But in the full face of the fire of day What place shall be for any starry light,       What part of heaven in all the wide sun’s way? Yet the soul woke not, sleeping by the way,       Watched as a nursling of the large-eyed night, And sought no strength nor knowledge of the day,       Nor closer touch conclusive of delight, Nor mightier joy nor truer than dreamers may,       Nor more of song than they, nor more of light. For who sleeps once and sees the secret light       Whereby sleep shows the soul a fairer way Between the rise and rest of day and night,       Shall care no more to fare as all men may, But be his place of pain or of delight,       There shall he dwell, beholding night as day. Song, have thy day and take thy fill of light       Before the night be fallen across thy way; Sing while he may, man hath no long delight.

4. The Villanelle

Villanelles are quite similar to sonnets and sestinas in the sense that they have strict rules and rhyme schemes. These structured poems are 19 lines long and just like the sestina, and they feature plenty of repetition. They are generally ordered into five three-line stanzas, followed by one stanza with four lines. 

Remember the rhyming schemes we talked about in sonnets? Villanelles also follow a rhyming scheme; in this case, it’s usually ABA ABA ABA ABA ABA ABAA. You’ll notice that there are only two rhyming sounds (A and B) in the rhyming scheme of a villanelle. As I mentioned, there’s a lot of repetition, both in the rhyme and in the lines of the poem. The first line of the poem is repeated in the 6 th , 12 th , and 18 th lines, and the 3 rd line is repeated in the 9 th , 15 th , and 19 th lines. 

A villanelle is highly structured, which can be challenging at first, but it can also be a blessing when it comes to writing your own poetry ; sometimes the constraints of a few rules help to give your creativity more direction. 

One of the most famous examples of a villanelle poem is by the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas . 

“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” 

Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

5. The Acrostic

Acrostic poems spell out a word, phrase, or name with the first letter of each line. 

Most people will remember having fun with acrostic poems in school. Kids particularly love acrostic poems as they have simple rules and there’s plenty of room for creativity, but that’s not to say there aren’t plenty of serious writers throughout history who have harnessed the acrostic poem too, such as this example from Edgar Allan Poe :

An Acrostic

Elizabeth it is in vain you say “Love not” — thou sayest it in so sweet away: In vain those words from thee or L.E.L. Zantippe’s talents had enforced so well: Ah! if that language from thy heart arise, Breath it less gently forth — and veil thine eyes. Endymion, recollect, when Luna tried To cure his love — was cured of all beside — His follie — pride — and passion — for he died.

6. The Elegy

An elegy is a traditional poem with roots that trace back to the ancient Greeks. Elegies generally contain an overriding theme of death, loss, mourning, or reflection. They were and still are, used as a meditative device to mark the passing of a friend or a loved one, or a person of high public standing. There are also occasions where elegies have been used to explore a broader sense of loss, for example, the end of a civilization or era. 

Elegies don’t have a rigid structure that they must follow. Instead, the definition of an elegy is derived from the overriding theme of the poem, which in this case, is death.

Here’s a famous example of an elegy by W H Auden :

‘Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone’

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,  Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,  Silence the pianos and with muffled drum  Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.  Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead  Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,  Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,  Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.  He was my North, my South, my East and West,  My working week and my Sunday rest,  By noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;  I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.  The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;  Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;  Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;  For nothing now can ever come to any good. 

7. Concrete Poetry

Concrete poetry is focused not just on the meaning of the words but also on the visual representation of those words on the page and how they are arranged. Concrete poetry is often written in a particular form, shape, or image that adds an extra dimension of meaning to the poem itself. 

One very basic example that many people will recognize is a romantic poem that has been written in the shape of a love heart, but there plenty of more meaningful and original examples out there too. 

One classic example is Easter Wings by the 17 th century Welsh-born poet George Herbert . This poem was originally presented sideways to replicate the organic shape of wings. It’s a wonderful example of how the meaning in words can be reflected visually in concrete poetry. The poem starts out in a dark and somber tone, but as the curve in the shape of a wing starts to widen out, the mood is lightened and hopeful, with the line “O let me rise.” 

Lord, who created man in wealth and store,       Though foolishly he lost the same,             Decaying more and more,                   Till he became                         Most poore:                         With thee                   O let me rise             As larks, harmoniously,       And sing this day thy victories: Then shall the fall further the flight in me. My tender age in sorrow did beginne       And still with sicknesses and shame.             Thou didst so punish sinne,                   That I became                         Most thinne.                         With thee                   Let me combine,             And feel thy victorie:          For, if I imp my wing on thine, Affliction shall advance the flight in me.

8. The Limerick

Limericks are simple five-line poems that have their roots in Ireland and England (the precise location is still disputed by historians). They consist of five lines that form one single stanza and follow the rhyme scheme of AABBA. The first two lines are generally longer, the second two are shorter, and the final line is a summary, often even a kind of punch line that completes the poem. 

Although you might not know it, you’re most likely familiar with limerick style poems as they’re used popularly in jovial descriptions, and many of them follow a kind of humorous, nursery rhyme tone. Limericks are also found in a lot of traditional folk songs from the British Isles. 

He’s a classic example from the father of the limerick, Edward Lear .

There was an Old Man with a beard, Who said, “It is just as I feared! Two Owls and a Hen, Four Larks and a Wren, Have all built their nests in my beard!”

9. The Epigram

Epigrams are not always poems, but they often are. An epigram is a clever, witty, wise, or amusing remark delivered in an often satirical way. They’re short by nature and often have a funny ending. 

Here are a few famous examples of epigrams:

“I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.”- Mark Twain,  “I would venture to guess that Anon, who wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman.”— Virginia Woolf “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” —Marcus Aurelius “We must all either wear out or rust out, every one of us. My choice is to wear out.” —Theodore Roosevelt “This is not your responsibility but it is your problem.” —Cheryl Strayed “If you see fraud and do not say fraud, you are a fraud.” —Nicholas Nassim Taleb

10. The Ballad

Many of us are used to hearing ballads in the form of music, but that not always how they’re presented. A ballad is a way of telling a story through poetry. It’s an ancient form of poem that was traditionally passed down from generation to generation, often only orally. 

Ballads are typically written in quatrains (four-line groups); however, there are plenty of examples that deviate from this structure. The rhyming scheme is ABCB or ABAB, and lines usually alternate between six and eight syllables, although this is not a hard and fast rule. 

Here’s a classic example of a ballad written by Sir Walter Raleigh

As you came from the holy land Of Walsingham, Met you not with my true love By the way as you came? “How shall I know your true love, That have met many one, I went to the holy land, That have come, that have gone?” She is neither white, nor brown, But as the heavens fair; There is none hath a form so divine In the earth, or the air. “Such a one did I meet, good sir, Such an angelic face, Who like a queen, like a nymph, did appear By her gait, by her grace.” She hath left me here all alone, All alone, as unknown, Who sometimes did me lead with herself, And me loved as her own. “What’s the cause that she leaves you alone, And a new way doth take, Who loved you once as her own, And her joy did you make?” I have loved her all my youth; But now old, as you see, Love likes not the falling fruit From the withered tree. Know that love is a careless child, And forgets promise past; He is blind, he is deaf when he list, And in faith never fast. His desire is a dureless content, And a trustless joy: He is won with a world of despair, And is lost with a toy. Of womenkind such indeed is the love, Or the word love abus’d, Under which many childish desires And conceits are excus’d. But true love is a durable fire, In the mind ever burning, Never sick, never old, never dead, From itself never turning.

11. The Tanka

The tanka is a traditional Japanese poem that literally translates to “short poem” or “short song.” It’s known to be the oldest form of poetry in Japan and has roots extending almost 1000 years before the existence of the haiku. 

Despite their age differences, the tanka is similar to a Haiku since there is an emphasis on the syllables in each line, however there are some key differences. 

A tanka has thirty-one syllables in total, and it is traditionally written as one unbroken, single line. There are generally five lines; the first is five syllables long, the second is seven, the third is five, and the final two are seven syllables. 

Here’s an example of a Japanese tanka by Yosano Akiko . Note that this poem has been translated from its original Japanese format, and so the syllables in English don’t necessarily match up to the traditional tanka format after the translation. 

That girl, now twenty, As seen in the black hair That flows smoothly through her comb She is in the arrogant spring And so beautiful

12. The Ode

The ode is a poem written to address a particular subject, either a person, a place, an event, or a thing. Ode’s have their roots in ancient Greece, and are generally praising in nature, and intended to complement and glorify. 

Here’s a famous ode written by the celebrated English poet, John Keats .

Ode to Autumn

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,    Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless    With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run; To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,    And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;       To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells    With a sweet kernel; to set budding more, And still more, later flowers for the bees, Until they think warm days will never cease,       For summer has o’er-Brimm’d their clammy cells. Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?    Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,    Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind; Or on a half-reap’d furrow sound asleep,    Drows’d with the fume of poppies, while thy hook       Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers: And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep    Steady thy laden head across a brook;    Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,       Thou watches the last oozings hours by hours. Where are the songs of spring? Ay, Where are they?    Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,— While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,    And touch the stubble plains with rosy hue; Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn    Among the river sallows, borne aloft       Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies; And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;    Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft    The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;       And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

13. Free Verse

Free verse poems are exactly what you might imagine; they’re poems without rules, structure, or limitations of any kind! It doesn’t have to rhyme, there’s no need to count syllables, and they can be as long or as short as you like. 

Free verse poetry is wonderful as you can really let your imagination get carried away without constraints, but it can be equally daunting since it’s hard to know where to start when the possibilities are literally endless! 

Here’s a beautiful free verse poem entitled “From Blossoms” by Li-Young Lee

From blossoms comes this brown paper bag of peaches we bought from the boy at the bend in the road where we turned toward signs painted Peaches. From laden boughs, from hands, from sweet fellowship in the bins, comes nectar at the roadside, succulent peaches we devour, dusty skin and all, comes the familiar dust of summer, dust we eat. O, to take what we love inside, to carry within us an orchard, to eat not only the skin, but the shade, not only the sugar, but the days, to hold the fruit in our hands, adore it, then bite into the round jubilance of peach. There are days we live as if death were nowhere in the background; from joy to joy to joy, from wing to wing, from blossom to blossom to impossible blossom, to sweet impossible blossom.

Though I’ve covered a lot of different types of poetry in this list, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the sheer variety of poetic styles that are found around the world. 

Many of these poetic styles have strict, rigid rules, which can be helpful when penning your own work. But remember, the old saying “rules are made to be broken” is still true. Some of the world’s most revered poets have reveled in throwing out the rule book when it comes to traditional poem structures, so there’s no reason you can’t too. 

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

• Mastering the Art of Building Suspense in Fiction Novels
• Steps to Take to Write Your First Novel
• Tips for Creating a Fiction Series
• Mastering the Art of Comic Book Writing: Tips and Tricks

StoryScapes.World

Scribe a World of Your Imagination

How to Outline a Novel

How to Use World Building for Novels

How to Outline Scenes in a Novel

A Guide to Setting Development in Your Novel: Mastering the Art of Outlining

Crafting Compelling Characters in Science Fiction Books

A Guide to Scene Building: Tips for Crafting Compelling Scenes in Your Novel

• Writing Poetry

Exploring the Different Types of Poetry: A Guide for Poets and Poetry Lovers

Poetry has been around for centuries, and over time, different styles and forms have emerged. As a poet or poetry enthusiast, it’s essential to understand the different types of poetry to expand your writing and reading skills. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular types of poetry and their characteristics.

Types of Poetry

• Sonnet: A 14-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme. The most famous sonnet form is the Shakespearean sonnet, which has a rhyme scheme of abab cdcd efef gg.
• Haiku: A traditional form of Japanese poetry that consists of three lines. The first and third lines have five syllables, while the second line has seven syllables. Haikus often focus on nature and the changing seasons.
• Lyric Poetry: Expresses personal feelings or thoughts, often set to music. The term “lyric” comes from the Greek word for “singing” and can be found in many songs and poems.
• Free verse: Poetry that does not follow a specific rhyme or meter. Free verse allows for more flexibility in terms of structure and form.
• Epic Poetry: A long narrative poem that tells the story of a heroic figure. Examples include Homer’s “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey.”
• Narrative Poetry: Tells a story and is similar to epic poetry but is shorter.
• Concrete Poetry: A type of poetry in which the visual layout of the words on the page is as important as the words themselves.
• Limerick: A humorous five-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme of AABBA
• Villanelle: A 19-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and repetition of lines.
• Pantoums: A form of poetry that is composed of a series of quatrains in which the second and fourth lines of each stanza are repeated as the first and third lines of the next.

These are just a few of the many types of poetry out there. Experimenting with different forms and styles can help you find your own unique voice as a poet.

Keywords: poetry, types of poetry, sonnet, haiku, lyric poetry, free verse, epic poetry, narrative poetry, concrete poetry, limerick, villanelle, pantoums, poetry guide.

Check out Little Tree Food Forest for articles on food forests and homesteading.

Check out FoodieScapes for articles on growing, fermenting and preserving food.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Related News

How to Write Slam Poetry

Mastering the Art of Epic Poetry: A Guide to Writing a Memorable and Impactful Poem

Mastering the Art of Sonnet Writing: A Step-by-Step Guide

Mastering the Art of Limerick Poetry: A Guide to Writing Hilarious and Memorable Verses

Storyscapes.world newsletter subscription.

• Words with Friends Cheat
• Wordle Solver
• Word Unscrambler
• Scrabble Dictionary
• Anagram Solver
• Wordscapes Answers

Make Our Dictionary Yours

Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get:

• Grammar and writing tips
• Fun language articles
• #WordOfTheDay and quizzes

By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .

We'll see you in your inbox soon.

7 Common Types of Poetry and Their Unique Features

• DESCRIPTION List 7 Common Types of Poetry
• SOURCE letter: Ejla / E+ / Getty Images / woman: Westend61 / Getty Images / man: Deagreez / iStock / Getty Images Plus
• PERMISSION Used under Getty Images license

Poetry, in its own way, is a form of artistic expression. But did you know there are over 50 different types of poetry? Outside of upper-level poetry seminars or in-depth studies, most educators tend to focus on seven common types of poetry. Learn more about these seven types.

Different Types of Poetry

The world of poetry is vast. From rhyme and meter to rhyme and imagery, you can find a little bit of everything in this writing genre. However, when you are learning about poems, a few different ones stick out. Popular poetry types include haiku, free verse, sonnets, and acrostic poems.

It's one thing to define each type; it's another to enjoy a sample platter. Ready to open the doors to a world of verbal artistry? Let's dive into some of the more prominent forms of poetry while we savor a few samples.

Haiku Poems

Traditionally, haiku poems are three-line stanzas with a 5/7/5 syllable count. This form of poetry also focuses on the beauty and simplicity found in nature. As its popularity grew, the 5/7/5 formula has often been broken. However, the focus remains the same — simple moments in life. For more, take a look at these rules for writing haiku . Now, let's enjoy two short samples.

Sick on a Journey by Basho

Basho is one of the haiku greats. He has several different beautifully composed poems under his belt. " Sick on a Journey " by Basho is a great example of a haiku.

"Sick on a journey - Over parched field Dreams wander on"

5 & 7 & 5 by Anselm Hollo

In " 5 & 7 & 5 ," Anselm Hollo demonstrates the 5/7/5 haiku syllable count across multiple stanzas . Explore an excerpt of her work.

"night train whistles stars over a nation under mad temporal czars round lumps of cells grow up to love porridge later become The Supremes lady I lost my subway token we must part it's faster by air"

Free Verse Poems

The genre of free verse poems is the least defined. In fact, they're deliberately irregular, taking on an improvisational bent. There's no formula, no pattern. Rather, the writer and reader must work together to set the speed, intonation and emotional pull.

This is Marriage by Marianne Moore

" This is Marriage " by Marianne Moore is a great example of free verse poetry. It demonstrates the lack of pattern and freedom of thought.

"This institution, perhaps one should say enterprise out of respect for which one says one need not change one's mind about a thing one has believed in, requiring public promises of one's intention to fulfill a private obligation: I wonder what Adam and Eve think of it by this time,"

Little Father by Li-Young Lee

The format of " Little Father " by Li-Young Lee contrasts "This is Marriage" considerably, as you can see in the excerpt.

"I buried my father in the sky. Since then, the birds clean and comb him every morning and pull the blanket up to his chin every night. I buried my father underground. Since then, my ladders only climb down, and all the earth has become a house whose rooms are the hours, whose doors stand open at evening, receiving guest after guest. Sometimes I see past them to the tables spread for a wedding feast."

Cinquain Poems

A cinquain is a five-line poem inspired by Japanese haiku. There are many different variations of cinquain including American cinquains, didactic cinquains, reverse cinquains, butterfly cinquains, and crown cinquains. Let's enjoy a sampling from the ever-popular Edgar Allan Poe, as well as a snippet from George Herbert.

To Helen by Edgar Allan Poe

You can't look at a cinquain without checking out a great. " To Helen " by Edgar Allan Poe is a masterfully created five-line stanza poem.

"Helen, thy beauty is to me Like those Nicéan barks of yore, That gently, o'er a perfumed sea, The weary, way-worn wanderer bore To his own native shore."

The World by George Herbert

And here you have " The World " by George Herbert. This poem explores mankind's spiritual journey.

"Love built a stately house; where Fortune came, And spinning phansies, she was heard to say, That her fine cobwebs did support the frame, Whereas they were supported by the same: But Wisdome quickly swept them all away."

An epic is a long and narrative poem that normally tells a story about a hero or an adventure. Epics can be presented as oral or written stories. The Iliad and The Odyssey are probably the most renowned epic poems. But, let's take a different direction and check out a sampling from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Ezra Pound.

The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Check out an excerpt from the epic poem, The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It illustrates different stories of the Ojibwe.

"On the shores of Gitche Gumee, Of the shining Big-Sea-Water, Stood Nokomis, the old woman, Pointing with her finger westward, O'er the water pointing westward, To the purple clouds of sunset."

Canto I by Ezra Pound

And here's another sampling of epic poetry, this time from Canto I by Ezra Pound.

"And then went down to the ship, Set keel to breakers, forth on the godly sea, and We set up mast and sail on that swart ship, Bore sheep aboard her, and our bodies also Heavy with weeping, and winds from sternward Bore us out onward with bellying canvas, Circe’s this craft, the trim-coifed goddess. Then sat we amidships, wind jamming the tiller, Thus with stretched sail, we went over sea till day’s end. Sun to his slumber, shadows o’er all the ocean, Came we then to the bounds of deepest water, To the Kimmerian lands, and peopled cities Covered with close-webbed mist, unpierced ever With glitter of sun-rays Nor with stars stretched, nor looking back from heaven Swartest night stretched over wretched men there. The ocean flowing backward, came we then to the place Aforesaid by Circe."

Ballad Poems

A ballad poem also tells a story, as epic poems do. However, ballad poetry is often based on a legend or a folk tale. These poems may take the form of songs, or they may contain a moral or a lesson. Enjoy some beautiful imagery in the samples.

The Mermaid by Unknown

" The Mermaid ," written by an unknown author, has its roots in folklore.

"Oh the ocean waves may roll, And the stormy winds may blow, While we poor sailors go skipping aloft And the land lubbers lay down below, below, below And the land lubbers lay down below. Then up spoke the Captain of our gallant ship, And a jolly old Captain was he; 'I have a wife in Salem town, But tonight a widow she will be.'"

The Ballad of Reading Gaol by Oscar Wilde

" The Ballad of Reading Gaol " by Oscar Wilde is another great ballad poem. This poem weaves themes of the human condition throughout it.

"He did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed. He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day. I never saw a man who looked With such a wistful eye Upon that little tent of blue Which prisoners call the sky, And at every drifting cloud that went With sails of silver by."

Acrostic Poems

Also known as name poems, acrostic poems spell out names or words with the first letter in each line. While the author is doing this, they're describing someone or something they deem important. Here are two examples to illustrate the poetic form.

Alexis by Nicholas Gordon

" Alexis " by Nicholas Gordon focuses on an intriguing woman he may or may not know.

"Alexis seems quite shy and somewhat frail, Leaning, like a tree averse to light, Evasively away from her delight. X-rays, though, reveal a sylvan sprite, Intense as a bright bird behind her veil, Singing to the moon throughout the night."

A Cry For Help by Samar Alkhudairi

" A Cry For Help " by 12-year-old Samar Alkhudairi is an example of an acrostic poem that tackles the tough issue of bullying.

"Brutal beatings beyond the feeling of pain Understanding this hurt might get me closer to being sane Love is a myth Life has become like a work of Stephen King You don't know what it's like I am treated like just some 'thing' Never to be kissed, comforted, or loved Going the rest of my life never to be hugged"

Sonnet Poetry

Although William Shakespeare sensationalized sonnets, the word sonetto is actually Italian for "a little sound or song." This form has grabbed poets by the heart for centuries. It began as a 14-line poem written in iambic pentameter. Although flourishes have been made over time, the general principle remains the same. Read up on sonnet examples to learn more about the different types of sonnets. In the meantime, let's enjoy two great samples.

Sonnet 116: Let me not to the marriage of true minds by William Shakespeare

This sample, " Sonnet 116 ," is from the master himself, William Shakespeare. As with many of Shakespeare's sonnets, it's dripping in feelings of love.

"Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove. O no! it is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wand'ring bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come; Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me prov'd, I never writ, nor no man ever lov'd."

Ever by Meghan O'Rourke

" Ever " by Meghan O'Rourke is a more modern sample, published in 2015.

"Never, never, never, never, never. —King Lear Even now I can’t grasp 'nothing' or 'never.' They’re unholdable, unglobable, no map to nothing. Never? Never ever again to see you? An error, I aver. You’re never nothing, because nothing’s not a thing. I know death is absolute, forever, the guillotine—gutting—never to which we never say goodbye. But even as I think 'forever' it goes 'ever' and 'ever' and 'ever.' Ever after. I’m a thing that keeps on thinking. So I never see you is not a thing or think my mouth can ever. Aver: You’re not 'nothing.' But neither are you something. Will I ever really get never? You’re gone. Nothing, never—ever."

Fill Your Canvas With Words

That's all poetry is. Some people paint with paintbrushes. Others fill pages with words that evoke colorful images. If you suspect you have a knack for poetic storytelling, then the gift is already inside you. Study each of these seven types. See which one feels closest to your heart. Then, when you're ready to start writing, review these tips and go on out there and paint your canvas.

When You Write

Types Of Poetry: A Comprehensive Guide To Different Poetic Forms

Are you tired of reading the same old poetry over and over again? Do you crave something new and innovative? Well, look no further! In this article, we will explore the different types of poetic forms that exist, giving you a comprehensive guide to the world of poetry.

From sonnets to haikus, free verse to villanelles, and odes to elegies, we will cover it all. Not only will we describe each form, but we will also provide examples of famous poets who have utilized these forms in their work.

By the end of this article, you will have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diversity and creativity that exists within the world of poetry. So, get ready to expand your literary horizons and discover new forms of poetic expression.

Key Takeaways

• There are many different types of poetic forms, including sonnets, haikus, free verse, villanelles, and odes.
• Each poetic form has its own unique structure and rhyme scheme, with some allowing for more experimentation than others.
• Rhyme and repetition are powerful tools in a poet’s toolkit, and can be used to convey meaning and create a mesmerizing effect.
• Odes are a versatile and engaging form of expression and have historical significance in the canon of poetry. They celebrate the beauty of nature and everyday objects and have a powerful emotional impact on readers.

You’re probably wondering what makes sonnets so special, huh?

Well, let me tell you, they have a strict structure and rhyme scheme that sets them apart from other forms of poetry.

A sonnet is a 14-line poem that typically follows one of two rhyme schemes: the Shakespearean or the Petrarchan.

In a Shakespearean sonnet, the first 12 lines are divided into three quatrains, each with its own rhyme scheme, while the final two lines make up a rhyming couplet.

The rhyme scheme for the quatrains is ABAB CDCD EFEF, and the couplet is GG.

On the other hand, a Petrarchan sonnet has an octave (eight lines) followed by a sestet (six lines).

The octave usually follows the rhyme scheme ABBAABBA, while the sestet can follow various rhyme schemes, such as CDECDE or CDCDCD.

Sonnets can explore a variety of themes and variations, including love, nature, mortality, and more.

Overall, sonnets offer a unique poetic form that challenges the writer to adhere to a strict structure while still allowing for creative expression.

Whether you prefer the Shakespearean or Petrarchan rhyme scheme, the sonnet is an excellent choice for those looking to experiment with form and language in their poetry.

So, why not give it a try and see what you can create?

If you’re looking for a brief and elegant form of poetry, have you considered haikus?

Haikus originated in Japan and are known for their simplicity and focus on nature. They consist of three lines, with the first and last lines having five syllables and the middle line having seven syllables.

Despite their brevity, haikus often contain deep symbolism and can evoke powerful emotions in the reader. In modern times, haikus have been adapted to fit different cultures and themes. Some poets have incorporated urban settings or technology into their haikus, while others have experimented with different line lengths and structures.

Despite these adaptations, the heart of a haiku remains the same: a moment of stillness and reflection on the natural world. So if you’re looking for a poetic form that can capture the beauty of nature and the essence of a fleeting moment, give haikus a try.

One of the most liberating aspects of writing poetry is the freedom that comes with using free verse. Unlike other forms of poetry that follow specific rules, free verse allows you to experiment with line breaks and rhythm to create a unique form of expression.

With free verse, you can break away from traditional structures and truly let your creativity flow.

Line breaks are one of the key elements of free verse. Unlike structured forms like sonnets or haikus, free verse allows you to play with the length and placement of your lines. This can create a sense of pause or emphasis that can enhance the meaning of your words.

Rhythm is also important in free verse, as it can set the tone for your poem and help guide the reader through your ideas.

Modern examples of free verse poetry can be found in the works of poets like E.E. Cummings and Langston Hughes, and the evolution of free verse continues to be explored by contemporary poets around the world.

Villanelles

So, you wanna learn about villanelles? Well, let’s start with their origin and structure.

Villanelles originated in France and are structured with 19 lines, divided into five tercets and a concluding quatrain. One of the defining features of a villanelle is its repeating lines, which occur at the end of every tercet and are then used to conclude the final quatrain.

The rhyme scheme is also specific, with the first and third lines of the first tercet rhyming and then alternating in subsequent tercets. Some famous examples of villanelles include ‘Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night’ by Dylan Thomas and ‘The Waking’ by Theodore Roethke.

Now that you know a bit about the form, why not try writing your own villanelle?

Origin and Structure

You can enhance your understanding of poetry by delving into the origin and structure of different poetic forms. This is particularly true for villanelles, which have a rich history and evolution dating back to the Renaissance period.

Originally used as a song form, the villanelle became popular among poets in the 19th and 20th centuries, with notable examples including Dylan Thomas’ ‘Do not go gentle into that good night’ and Elizabeth Bishop’s ‘One Art’.

Understanding the importance and relevance of villanelles today is just as crucial as understanding their history. Villanelles are known for their strict structure and repetition, which can be a challenge for modern poets looking to experiment with form and free verse.

However, the villanelle’s structure can also be seen as a creative constraint, forcing poets to think deeply about language and meaning. By learning about the origin and structure of villanelles, you can not only appreciate this poetic form’s rich history but also gain new insights into your own poetic practice.

Repeating Lines and Rhyme Scheme

Repeating lines and a strict rhyme scheme create a mesmerizing and unforgettable effect in villanelles. This poetic form is known for its repetition of two lines throughout the poem, which creates a haunting and hypnotic quality.

But repetition in poetry goes beyond just the villanelle; there are two types of repetition that poets can use to enhance their work: anaphora and epiphora. Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or clauses, while epiphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive lines or clauses. Both can be used to create rhythm, emphasize key ideas, and evoke emotions in the reader.

The role of rhyme in poetry is not just about making it sound pleasing to the ear; it also plays a crucial role in conveying meaning. Rhyme can create a sense of unity in a poem, tying together different ideas and creating a cohesive whole. It can also be used to create contrast, such as using a rhyme scheme that’s unexpected or jarring to create tension.

Ultimately, repetition and rhyme are powerful tools in a poet’s toolkit, allowing them to create works that are both beautiful and meaningful. By exploring these techniques in your own writing, you can add depth and complexity to your poetry and create works that’s truly unforgettable.

Famous Examples

Famous examples of the mesmerizing and unforgettable effect created by repeating lines and strict rhyme schemes can be found in the works of poets such as Dylan Thomas and Elizabeth Bishop.

Thomas’ poem ‘Do not go gentle into that good night’ showcases a villanelle format, with two repeating lines that build up to the final stanza. The strict rhyme scheme and repetition of ‘rage, rage against the dying of the light’ creates a sense of urgency and passion that resonates with readers.

Bishop’s ‘One Art’ is another famous example of the power of repetition and rhyme. The poem follows a strict villanelle format, with repeating lines that explore the theme of loss and acceptance.

The analysis techniques used to examine these poems reveal how the strict structure of repeating lines and rhyme schemes can create a powerful emotional impact on readers. These famous examples also hold historical significance in the canon of poetry, showcasing the evolution of poetic forms and the creative ways in which poets continue to push the boundaries of traditional structures.

Now let’s dive into the world of odes, where you’ll find yourself celebrating the beauty of everyday objects and experiences through poetic language that flows like a gentle breeze on a summer day.

Odes are a form of poetry that originated in ancient Greece, and they’ve evolved over time to become a popular form of expression for poets across the world. In odes, poets often use elevated language to celebrate a particular person, object, or experience, elevating it to the status of a revered subject.

Here are some examples of odes that showcase the versatility of this form of poetry:

• Ode to a Nightingale by John Keats: This ode is an example of a Romantic-era ode, where the poet uses vivid imagery to describe the beauty of nature and the experience of listening to a nightingale’s song. Keats uses rich language and metaphors to convey the sense of wonder and awe he feels when listening to the nightingale’s song.
• Ode to My Socks by Pablo Neruda: This ode is a more contemporary example of the form, where Neruda celebrates the simple joy of putting on a pair of socks. He uses playful language and metaphors to elevate the socks to the status of a cherished possession and to convey the sense of comfort and happiness they bring him.

Whether you’re celebrating the beauty of nature or the joy of everyday objects, odes offer a versatile and engaging form of expression. So why not try your hand at writing an ode of your own, and see where your poetic journey takes you?

So now you’ve learned about sonnets, composed of 14 lines; haikus, requiring only three lines; free verse, allowing maximum creative freedom; villanelles, using a strict rhyme scheme; and odes, written to praise a person or thing.

You may now be feeling inspired to try out these different forms of poetry and see which one speaks to you the most.

Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles. So, grab a pen and paper, let your creativity flow, and see where your poetic journey takes you!

Recommended Reading...

Muse of poetry: understanding the inspiration behind poetic creation, onomatopoeia in poetry: exploring the use of sound words in poems, play vs screenplay writing: key differences and similarities, poems that rhyme: understanding and writing rhyming poetry.

Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

© 2024 When You Write

How to Write a Poem: A Step-by-Step Guide

Poetry is . . . song lyrics without the music? Writing that rhymes? A bunch of comparisons and abstract imagery that feels like a code for the reader to decipher?

The answer to all of the above is yes, but poetry encompasses much more. Poetry is a broad literary category that covers everything from bawdy limericks to unforgettable song lyrics to the sentimental couplets inside greeting cards. Poetry’s lack of rules can make it feel hard to define but is also what makes poetry enjoyable for so many to write. 

If you’ve ever wondered how to write a poem, read on. Writing poetry doesn’t have to be daunting—we’re going to demystify the process and walk you through it, one step at a time.  

Write confidently Grammarly helps you choose the perfect words Write with Grammarly

What is a poem?

A poem is a singular piece of poetry. 

Poems don’t have to rhyme; they don’t have to fit any specific format; and they don’t have to use any specific vocabulary or be about any specific topic. But here’s what they do have to do: use words artistically by employing figurative language . With a poem, the form is as important as the function—perhaps even more so.

In contrast, prose is writing that follows the standard sentence and paragraph structure. Prose, while it takes many different forms and tones, largely mimics human speech patterns. 

The purpose of a poem

Poetry expresses emotions and conveys ideas, but that’s not all it can do. Poets tell stories, teach lessons, and even communicate hidden messages through poetry. When you listen to music with lyrics, you’re listening to poetry. 

When you’re writing poetry, keep your goal in mind. Are you writing to evoke emotion? To perform your poem at an open mic night? To get a good grade on your assignment? Although there aren’t any hard and fast rules for writing poetry, there are some fundamental guidelines to keep in mind: 

• Show, don’t tell. The goal is to provoke an emotion in the reader.
• Less can be more. While it’s perfectly acceptable to write long, flowery verse, using simple, concise language is also powerful. Word choice and poem length are up to you. 
• It’s OK to break grammatical rules when doing so helps you express yourself.

Elements of poetry

The key elements that distinguish poetry from other kinds of literature include sound, rhythm, rhyme, and format. The first three of these are apparent when you hear poetry read aloud. The last is most obvious when you read poetry.

One thing poetry has in common with other kinds of literature is its use of literary devices. Poems, like other kinds of creative writing , often make use of allegories and other kinds of figurative language to communicate themes. 

In many cases, poetry is most impactful when it’s listened to rather than read. With this in mind, poets often create sound, whether to be pleasing, jarring, or simply highlight key phrases or images through words. Read this short poem “The Cold Wind Blows” by Kelly Roper aloud and listen to the sounds the letters and words make: 

Who knows why the cold wind blows

Or where it goes, or what it knows.

It only flows in passionate throes

Until it finally slows and settles in repose.

Do you hear the repeated “ose” sound and how it mimics the sound of wind gusts? Poets create sound in a variety of ways, like alliteration , assonance, and consonance. 

Poetry has rhythm. That’s what often makes it so attractive to set to music. 

A poem’s rhythmic structure is known as its meter . Meter refers to:

• The number of syllables in each line
• The stressed and unstressed syllables in each line 

These syllables are grouped together to form feet , units that make up a line of poetry. A foot is generally two or three syllables, and each combination of two or three stressed and unstressed syllables has a unique name. 

You probably recognize the term iambic pentameter from English class. It comes up a lot in high school English classes because Shakespeare wrote in it frequently, and Shakespeare is frequently read in high school English classes. An iamb is a two-syllable foot where the second syllable is stressed: duh-DUH. Pentameter means that each line in the poem has five feet or ten total syllables. 

Iambic pentameter is just one of the many kinds of rhythm a poem can have . Other types of feet include the trochee , two syllables where the first syllable is stressed (DUH-duh), and dactyl , three syllables where only the first is stressed (DUH-duh-duh). When a poem only has one foot per line, it’s in monometer; when there are two feet per line, it’s in dimeter; and so on. 

Stressed and unstressed syllables aren’t the only way you can create rhythm in your poetry. Another technique poets frequently embrace is repetition. Repetition underscores the words being repeated, which could be a phrase or a single word. In her poem “Still I Rise”, Maya Angelou repeats the phrase “I rise” with increasing frequency as the poem progresses, changing it from “I’ll rise” in the first stanzas to a repeated “I rise” toward the ending, to emphasize her unbreakable spirit:

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

With poetry, rhythm and rhyme go hand in hand. Both create musicality in the poem, making it pleasurable to recite and listen to. 

Rhymes can appear anywhere in a poem, not just at the ends of alternating lines. Take a look at all the places Lewis Carrol uses rhymes in this excerpt from “Jabberwocky”:

One, two! One, two! And through and through

      The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!

He left it dead, and with its head

      He went galumphing back.

When you’re reading poetry, one of the first things you’ll likely notice is its formatting. Simply put, poems just aren’t formatted the same way as prose. Sentences end in weird places, there are blank lines between the different sections, one word might have a line all to itself, or the words might be arranged in a shape that makes a picture on the page. 

One of poetry’s defining characteristics is that it doesn’t adhere to the same formatting that prose does. You (most likely) won’t find sentences and paragraphs in poetry. Instead, you’ll find stanzas, lines, and line breaks. 

A stanza is the poetic equivalent of a paragraph. It’s a group of lines that (usually) adheres to a specific rhyme or rhythm pattern. For example, a quatrain is a four-line stanza in which the second and fourth lines rhyme. An isometric stanza is a stanza of any length where each line has the same meter. 

Literary devices

Literary devices aren’t limited to prose—many, perhaps even most, poems incorporate one or more literary devices. Literary devices commonly found in poetry include:

• Figurative language
• Juxtaposition
• Onomatopoeia
• Personification

Often, poets use literary devices in conjunction with other poetic elements. One famous example of a poem that layers multiple literary devices is Margaret Atwood’s “[you fit into me]”:

you fit into me

like a hook into an eye

a fish hook

an open eye

In the first stanza, Atwood uses a simile, a type of figurative language , to create an initially pleasant image: a hook and eye closure, a small metal hook that neatly fits into an appropriately sized metal loop to fasten clothing. Then the second stanza juxtaposes this with a jarring image: a fish hook plunged into an eyeball. These images together, formatted as two stark sections separated by a break, express the poem’s uncomfortable, visceral theme. 

Types of poetic forms

There are many different types of poems. Some have very strict style rules, while others are classified according to the topics they cover rather than their structure. When you’re writing poetry, keep the form you’re writing in mind as you brainstorm—with forms that involve rhyming or require a specific number of syllables, you’ll probably want to jot down a list of go-to words that fit into your chosen format before you start writing. 

A haiku is a three-line poem that always fits this format: The first and third lines contain five syllables and the second line contains seven syllables. 

A limerick is a five-line poem that follows a strict AABBA rhyme scheme. Though they often discuss humorous subjects, this isn’t a requirement—the only requirement is that it fits this precise rhyme pattern.  

A sonnet is a fourteen-line poem that was often used by Shakespeare and Petrarch. Although a sonnet’s exact rhyme scheme varies from poem to poem, each sonnet has some kind of consistent rhyme pattern.

Here’s a tip: Grammarly’s  Citation Generator  ensures your essays have flawless citations and no plagiarism. Try it for citing sonnets in Chicago , MLA , and APA styles.

Blank verse

Blank verse poetry is written in a specific meter that, as a rule, does not rhyme. Although this specific meter is often iambic pentameter, that isn’t a requirement for blank verse poetry—the only requirements are that it does not stray from its meter (whichever meter the poet chose) and that it doesn’t rhyme. 

With free verse, anything goes. When you read a poem that doesn’t appear to fit any specific format, you’re reading free verse poetry. 

An ode is a poem that celebrates a person, an event, or even an object. An ode uses vivid language to describe its subject. 

Elegies are poems that, like odes, pay tribute to specific subjects. However, rather than being purely celebratory, an elegy is generally a reflection on its subject’s death and includes themes of mourning and loss. 

How to write a poem

Writing a poem isn’t the same as writing a short story , an essay, an email, or any other type of writing. While each of these other kinds of writing requires a unique approach, they all have one thing in common: they’re prose. 

Poetry isn’t prose, as we explained above. And that’s what makes it feel like the wildcard of creative writing. 

With poetry, going through the standard writing process can feel like a creativity killer. That doesn’t mean you should just sit down, scrawl out a poem, and call it a day. On the contrary, when you’re writing poetry, you might find that skipping one or more stages in the traditional writing process will help you be more creative. 

Of course, you might also find that following the writing process helps you explore and organize your thoughts before you start to write. The usefulness of starting with brainstorming, then moving onto outlining, then starting to write only once you’ve got an outline varies from poet to poet and even poem to poem. Sometimes, inspiration strikes and the words just start flowing out of your mind and onto the page. 

Here are a few tips to help you get started and write your next poem:

1 Decide what you want to write about

Unless you’ve been assigned to write a poem about a specific topic, the first step in writing a poem is determining a topic to write about. Look for inspiration around you, perhaps in nature, your community, current events, or the people in your life. Take notes on how different things make you feel and what they drive you to think about. 

Freewriting can be a helpful exercise when you’re searching for the perfect topic to write a poem about. You can use a writing prompt as a jumping-off point for your freewriting or just jot down a word (or a few) and see where your mind guides your pen, stream-of-consciousness style. 

Once you have a topic and a theme in mind, the next step is to determine which kind of poem is the best way to express it. 

2 Determine the best format for your topic

Your poem doesn’t have to adhere to any specific format, but choosing a format and sticking to it might be the way to go. By opting to write in a particular format, like a sonnet or a limerick, for example, you constrain your writing and force yourself to find a way to creatively express your theme while fitting that format’s constraints. 

3 Explore words, rhymes, and rhythm

If you’ve decided to write your poem in a specific format, read other poems in that format to give yourself a template to follow. A specific rhythm or rhyme scheme can highlight themes and clever wordplay in your poem. For example, you might determine that a limerick is the most effective way to make your readers laugh at your satirical poem because the format feels like it has a built-in punchline. 

4 Write the poem

Now it’s time to write! Whether you opt for using a pen and paper, typing on a laptop, or tapping on your phone, give yourself some uninterrupted time to focus on writing the poem. 

Don’t expect to write something perfect on the first try. Instead, focus on getting your words out. Even if your lines don’t rhyme perfectly or you’ve got too many or too few syllables to fit the format you chose, write what’s on your mind. The theme your words are expressing is more important than the specific words themselves, and you can always revise your poem later. 

5 Edit what you’ve written

Once you have a draft, the next step is to edit your poem. You don’t have to jump right from writing to editing—in fact, it’s better if you don’t. Give yourself a break. Then in a day or two, come back to your poem with a critical eye. By that, we mean read it again, taking note of any spots where you can replace a word with a stronger one, tighten your rhythm, make your imagery more vivid, or even remove words or stanzas that aren’t adding anything to the poem. When you do this, you might realize that the poem would work better in another form or that your poem would be stronger if it rhymed . . . or if it didn’t. 

Reading your poem aloud can help you edit it more effectively because when you listen to it, you’ll hear the poem’s rhythm and quickly notice any spots where the rhythm doesn’t quite work. This can help you move words around or even completely restructure the poem. 

If you’re comfortable sharing your poetry with others, have somebody else read your poem and give you feedback on ways you can improve it. You might even want to join a writing group, online or off, where you can workshop your poetry with other writers. Often, other people can spot strengths and weaknesses in your work that you might not have noticed because your perspective is too close to the poem. A more distanced perspective, as well as perspectives from readers and writers of different backgrounds, can offer up ways to make your writing stronger that you hadn’t considered before. 

Give your writing extra spark

When you’re writing poetry, you’re allowed to break the rules. In fact, you’re encouraged to break the rules. Breaking the rules artistically is one of the key differences between writing poetry and writing prose. 

But making mistakes isn’t the same as breaking the rules. Mistakes in your poetry, like misspelled words and incorrect punctuation, can distract readers from what you’re communicating through your words. That’s where Grammarly comes in. Grammarly catches any mistakes or tone inconsistencies in your work and suggests ways you can make your writing stronger. The outcome: writing with confidence and getting better at breaking the rules on purpose.

• Clerc Center | PK-12 & Outreach
• KDES | PK-8th Grade School (D.C. Metro Area)
• MSSD | 9th-12th Grade School (Nationwide)
• Gallaudet University Regional Centers
• Parent Advocacy App
• K-12 ASL Content Standards
• National Resources
• Youth Programs
• Academic Bowl
• Battle Of The Books
• National Literary Competition
• Youth Debate Bowl
• Youth Esports Series
• Bison Sports Camp
• Discover College and Careers (DC²)
• Financial Wizards
• Immerse Into ASL
• Alumni Relations
• Alumni Association
• Homecoming Weekend
• Class Giving
• Get Tickets / BisonPass
• Sport Calendars
• Cross Country
• Swimming & Diving
• Track & Field
• Indoor Track & Field
• Cheerleading
• Winter Cheerleading
• Human Resources
• Plan a Visit
• Request Info

• Areas of Study
• Accessible Human-Centered Computing
• American Sign Language
• Art and Media Design
• Communication Studies
• Data Science
• Deaf Studies
• Early Intervention Studies Graduate Programs
• Educational Neuroscience
• Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences
• Information Technology
• International Development
• Interpretation and Translation
• Linguistics
• Mathematics
• Philosophy and Religion
• Physical Education & Recreation
• Public Affairs
• Public Health
• Sexuality and Gender Studies
• Social Work
• Theatre and Dance
• World Languages and Cultures
• B.A. in American Sign Language
• B.A. in Art and Media Design
• B.A. in Biology
• B.A. in Communication Studies
• B.A. in Communication Studies for Online Degree Completion Program
• B.A. in Deaf Studies
• B.A. in Deaf Studies for Online Degree Completion Program
• B.A. in Education with a Specialization in Early Childhood Education
• B.A. in Education with a Specialization in Elementary Education
• B.A. in English
• B.A. in Government
• B.A. in Government with a Specialization in Law
• B.A. in History
• B.A. in Interdisciplinary Spanish
• B.A. in International Studies
• B.A. in Interpretation
• B.A. in Mathematics
• B.A. in Philosophy
• B.A. in Psychology
• B.A. in Psychology for Online Degree Completion Program
• B.A. in Social Work (BSW)
• B.A. in Sociology
• B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology
• B.A. in Theatre Arts: Production/Performance
• B.A. or B.S. in Education with a Specialization in Secondary Education: Science, English, Mathematics or Social Studies
• B.S in Risk Management and Insurance
• B.S. in Accounting
• B.S. in Accounting for Online Degree Completion Program
• B.S. in Biology
• B.S. in Business Administration
• B.S. in Business Administration for Online Degree Completion Program
• B.S. in Information Technology
• B.S. in Mathematics
• B.S. in Physical Education and Recreation
• B.S. In Public Health
• General Education
• Honors Program
• Peace Corps Prep program
• Self-Directed Major
• M.A. in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• M.A. in Counseling: School Counseling
• M.A. in Deaf Education
• M.A. in Deaf Education Studies
• M.A. in Deaf Studies: Cultural Studies
• M.A. in Deaf Studies: Language and Human Rights
• M.A. in Early Childhood Education and Deaf Education
• M.A. in Early Intervention Studies
• M.A. in Elementary Education and Deaf Education
• M.A. in International Development
• M.A. in Interpretation: Combined Interpreting Practice and Research
• M.A. in Interpretation: Interpreting Research
• M.A. in Linguistics
• M.A. in Secondary Education and Deaf Education
• M.A. in Sign Language Education
• M.S. in Accessible Human-Centered Computing
• M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology
• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Au.D. in Audiology
• Ed.D. in Transformational Leadership and Administration in Deaf Education
• Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
• Ph.D. in Critical Studies in the Education of Deaf Learners
• Ph.D. in Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences
• Ph.D. in Linguistics
• Ph.D. in Translation and Interpreting Studies
• Ph.D. Program in Educational Neuroscience (PEN)
• Individual Courses and Training
• Summer On-Campus Courses
• Summer Online Courses
• Certificates
• Certificate in Sexuality and Gender Studies
• Educating Deaf Students with Disabilities (online, post-bachelor’s)
• American Sign Language and English Bilingual Early Childhood Deaf Education: Birth to 5 (online, post-bachelor’s)
• Peer Mentor Training (low-residency/hybrid, post-bachelor’s)
• Early Intervention Studies Graduate Certificate
• Online Degree Programs
• ODCP Minor in Communication Studies
• ODCP Minor in Deaf Studies
• ODCP Minor in Psychology
• ODCP Minor in Writing
• Online Degree Program General Education Curriculum
• University Capstone Honors for Online Degree Completion Program

Quick Links

• PK-12 & Outreach
• NSO Schedule

202.448-7036

Poetry is the most compressed form of writing. Poems tend to use fewer words to convey a thought, action or emotion than works of fiction does. In poetry, every single word has a significant impact on the meaning of the poem. Poems may follow specific rules of format and use poetic devices to help convey meaning, or they may be completely free form.

202-448-7036

At a Glance

• Quick Facts
• University Leadership
• History & Traditions
• Accreditation
• Consumer Information
• Our 10-Year Vision: The Gallaudet Promise
• Annual Report of Achievements (ARA)
• The Signing Ecosystem
• Not Your Average University

Our Community

• Library & Archives
• Technology Support
• Interpreting Requests
• Ombuds Support
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Profile & Web Edits

Visit Gallaudet

• Explore Our Campus
• Virtual Tour
• Maps & Directions
• Shuttle Bus Schedule
• Kellogg Conference Hotel
• Welcome Center
• National Deaf Life Museum
• Apple Guide Maps

Engage Today

• Work at Gallaudet / Clerc Center
• Social Media Channels
• University Wide Events
• Sponsorship Requests
• Data Requests
• Media Inquiries
• Gallaudet Today Magazine
• Giving at Gallaudet
• Financial Aid
• Registrar’s Office
• Residence Life & Housing
• Safety & Security
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• University Communications
• Clerc Center

Gallaudet University, chartered in 1864, is a private university for deaf and hard of hearing students.

Copyright © 2024 Gallaudet University. All rights reserved.

• Accessibility
• Cookie Consent Notice
• Privacy Policy
• File a Report

800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

7 Types of Poetry for Kids (With Examples & Tasks)

What are the best types of poetry for children?

Poetry as a form of literature long predates the existence of the written word. Its use of rhyme, rhythm, and literary devices, such as metaphor and simile, helped make possible the memorizing of long verses long before the advent of writing.

Though not as popular today amongst readers, it still endures in popular culture, particularly in hip-hop and rap. Developing an understanding of poetry, how it works, and how to produce it greatly benefits our students not only from the point of view of learning about our literary heritage but also in enriching students’ lives and helping them develop their creativity.

If it achieves anything, poetry offers us new perspectives on things we are already familiar with. It attempts to restore our childlike curiosity about the world by presenting us with familiar things in a new light. There are many types of poetry, and in this article, we will look at seven poetry forms every teacher should be teaching and how students will benefit from their teaching. Read our complete guide to teaching poetry here

Ultimate Poetry Teaching Unit

Teach your students 19 STYLES OF POETRY and the ELEMENTS OF POETRY with this EDITABLE unit.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ( 236 reviews )

1. Haiku Poems

Definition:

Traditionally, a haiku is a prescriptive form of Japanese poetry that follows a tight syllabic structure that juxtaposes two subjects, usually related to a natural or seasonal phenomenon.

●      3 lines

●      17 syllables in total

●      The first line of 5 syllables, the second line of 7 syllables, a final line of 5 syllables

●      Does not usually rhyme

●      Usually written in the present tense

This is a short form of poetry that requires students to consider closely the sound of each syllable. This reinforces the importance of poetry’s origins as a spoken art form. It can be quite meditative too, as it requires considerable concentration on the student’s part. Often haikus will utilize literary devices such as metaphor or personification, so they can be used as a means of consolidating work in these areas. Students are also afforded an opportunity to be introduced to some elements of Japanese culture.

2. Calligram Poetry

A type of poetry where the shape and layout of the letters and words on the paper relate to the poem’s meaning. Calligrams are also commonly called Shape Poems .

●      The shapes made by letters, lines of poetry, or verses expresses or is informed by, the meaning of the poem

Calligrams bridge the gap between literary and visual art forms. They encourage students to weave together their understanding of the written word with their artistic side. Work on producing calligrams can often easily be linked to learning objectives in art and design based subjects. Students are often very inspired by this form of poetry and can surprise with their astonishing creativity. Calligrams also make for great content for a display board that students can take pride in.

3. Limerick

With origins that stretch back to the early years of the 18th century, the limerick’s popularity endures. Usually humorous, the limerick often veers into vulgar territory, so depending on the age group, be sure to lay some content ground rules!

●      Strict AABBA rhyme scheme

●      The first line usually introduces a person and a place

●      The place name usually ends the first-line setting up the rhyme for the second and fifth lines

Students will often be familiar with this form and take great delight in producing their own. The rhyme and rhythm of limericks is extremely regular and can be a great way to introduce the idea of metre in poetry. Limericks also offer wonderful opportunities for exercising the funny bone!

4. Narrative Poetry

As the name suggests, narrative poems essentially tell a story.  As poems were easier to commit to memory, narrative poetry has its origins in oral traditions. This form employs literary devices, often regular metre, to tell a story frequently in the voice of a narrator and/or the characters in the tale.

●      Written to be read aloud

●      Includes the usual elements of a story: characters, setting, conflict, dialogue, climax, resolution

●      Employs literary devices such as simile, metaphor, figurative language etc

●      Often rhymes, but not always

Students creating their own narrative poems will avail of an opportunity to reinforce their understanding of the narrative arc. This form also makes fluid links to dramatic performance, as it is usually a straightforward process to adapt a narrative poem for the stage.

5. Kenning Poetry

Kennings are derived from the Old Norse verse. They are poetic compounds used in place of a single noun. The compound will relate to the characteristics of the original noun itself. For example, the battle becomes spear-din. We can see examples of Kenning-type coinings frequently appearing in our everyday speech in words such as bookworm , mind-reader , and motormouth .

●      A compound expression usually referring to a noun

●      Possesses a metaphorical meaning, e.g., ankle-biter referring to toddler

Setting your students the task of writing a series of kennings based on a particular word is a great way to get them to think deeply about that word. They must deconstruct their understanding of the given noun and build two-word phrases that describe the thing in all its roles. This can be a super task to set as a prewriting exercise before embarking on an essay or other long piece of writing.

6. Free Verse poetry

While the word ‘free’ in this form may conjure up images of the wild scribbling of emotional ‘vomit’, there is more to this form. While the structure is extremely loose in comparison to the tyrannical nature of the sonnet described below, it is not mere prose. Check out the features below to get to grips with this often misunderstood form.

●      Characterized by irregular rhythm and rhyme, though both may be used at times

●      Irregular line length

●      Literary devices often used, for example, alliteration, assonance, metaphor, simile, repetition, internal rhyme

The comparatively unrestricted nature of this form gives students’ imaginations freer rein. This means too that free verse is a superb form to give students opportunities to practice their use of the literary devices mentioned above.

The sonnet is an extremely technical form of writing that stands in stark contrast to the relative anarchy of free verse. Though its origins can be traced to at least 13th century Italy, there are numerous structural variants. Its popularity among poets such as Milton and Donne exposed a wider English-speaking audience to its rigorous structures. Many students are first exposed to this form through Shakespeare’s sonnets and that is the form whose features we examine below.

●      14 lines of iambic pentameter

●      3 quatrains and a heroic couplet

●      Rhyme scheme is: abab , cdcd , efef , gg

●      The narrative usually includes the introduction of a problem, building toward a solution by the close of the poem

As mentioned, this is an extremely technical, and therefore demanding, form of poetry. Students will need a lot of illustrations with examples. Luckily, Shakespeare provides us with 154 beautiful ones! This will present students with opportunities to get to grips with complex terms such as iambic pentameter, quatrain, sestet, couplet etc.

The difficulty of the form also provides one of its greatest benefits. It is fun in the same way challenging activities such as sudoku or crosswords are fun. Writing sonnets will test any student’s problem-solving abilities to the max, but the rewards are high!

The Final Stanza

As we have seen, the benefits of poetry in the classroom are extremely varied, as are the forms of poetry itself. Developing a student’s poetic abilities not only has implications for their poetry writing capabilities but will improve their writing skills in general. Literary devices are not the exclusive domain of poetry, we see them everywhere in the written word, from novels and scripts to advertisements and newspapers.

Poetry too teaches creativity and that reflection is required to really see into something. It teaches the importance of prewriting planning, drafting, and redrafting. It shows students that getting artistic with words is not so much about inspiration as it is about craft and that skilled craftsmanship comes only with diligence and perseverance.

Is there a better lesson to teach our young people than that?

MORE ARTICLES ABOUT TYPES OF POETRY

How to Write a Superb Simile Poem

Elements of Poetry

How to Write Poetry and Seven Types of Poems Students Love.

Explore our Premium Teaching Unit on POETRY

26 Types of Punctuation Marks & Typographical Symbols

• What Is Punctuation?
• What Is A Typographical Symbol?
• Punctuation Vs. Typographical Symbols
• Types Of Punctuation And Symbols
• Try Grammar Coach

We use words in writing. Shocking, I know! Do you know what else we use in writing? Here is a hint: they have already appeared in this paragraph. In addition to words, we use many different symbols and characters to organize our thoughts and make text easier to read. All of these symbols come in two major categories: punctuation marks and typographical symbols . These symbols have many different uses and include everything from the humble period ( . ) to the rarely used caret symbol ( ^ ). There may even be a few symbols out there that you’ve never even heard of before that leave you scratching your head when you see them on your keyboard!

What is punctuation ?

Punctuation is the act or system of using specific marks or symbols in writing to separate different elements from each other or to make writing more clear. Punctuation is used in English and the other languages that use the Latin alphabet. Many other writing systems also use punctuation, too. Thanks to punctuation, we don’t have to suffer through a block of text that looks like this:

• My favorite color is red do you like red red is great my sister likes green she always says green is the color of champions regardless of which color is better we both agree that no one likes salmon which is a fish and not a color seriously

Punctuation examples

The following sentences give examples of the many different punctuation marks that we use:

• My dog , Bark Scruffalo , was featured in a superhero movie . 
• If there ’ s something strange in your neighborhood , who are you going to call ?
• A wise man once said , “ Within the body of every person lies a skeleton .”
• Hooray ! I found everything on the map : the lake , the mountain , and the forest . 
• I told Ashley ( if that was her real name ) that I needed the copy lickety-split .

What is a typographical symbol ?

The term typographical symbol , or any other number of phrases, refers to a character or symbol that isn’t considered to be a punctuation mark but may still be used in writing for various purposes. Typographical symbols are generally avoided in formal writing under most circumstances. However, you may see typographic symbols used quite a bit in informal writing.

Typographical symbol examples

The following examples show some ways that a writer might use typographical symbols. Keep in mind that some of these sentences may not be considered appropriate in formal writing.

• The frustrated actor said she was tired of her co-star’s “annoying bull **** .”
• For questions, email us at anascabana @ bananacabanas.fake!
• The band had five # 1 singles on the American music charts during the 1990s.
• My internet provider is AT & T.

⚡️ Punctuation vs. typographical symbols

Punctuation marks are considered part of grammar and often have well-established rules for how to use them properly. For example, the rules of proper grammar state that a letter after a period should be capitalized and that a comma must be used before a coordinating conjunction.

Typographical symbols, on the other hand, may not have widely accepted rules for how, or even when, they should be used. Generally speaking, most grammar resources will only allow the use of typographical symbols under very specific circumstances and will otherwise advise a writer to avoid using them.

Types of punctuation and symbols

There are many different types of punctuation marks and typographical symbols. We’ll briefly touch on them now, but you can learn more about these characters by checking out the links in this list and also each section below:

• Question mark
• Exclamation point
• Parentheses
• Square brackets
• Curly brackets
• Angle brackets
• Quotation marks
• Bullet point
• Pound symbol
• Caret symbol
• Pipe symbol

Period, question mark, and exclamation point

These three commonly used punctuation marks are used for the same reason: to end an independent thought.

A period is used to end a declarative sentence . A period indicates that a sentence is finished.

• Today is Friday .

Unique to them, periods are also often used in abbreviations.

• Prof . Dumbledore once again awarded a ludicrous amount of points to Gryffindor.

Question mark (?)

The question mark is used to end a question, also known as an interrogative sentence .

• Do you feel lucky ?

Exclamation point (!)

The exclamation point is used at the end of exclamations and interjections .

• Our house is haunted ! 

Comma, colon, and semicolon

Commas, colons, and semicolons can all be used to connect sentences together.

The comma is often the punctuation mark that gives writers the most problems. It has many different uses and often requires good knowledge of grammar to avoid making mistakes when using it. Some common uses of the comma include:

• Joining clauses: Mario loves Peach , and she loves him . 
• Nonrestrictive elements: My favorite team , the Fighting Mongooses , won the championship this year.
• Lists: The flag was red , white , and blue.
• Coordinate adjectives: The cute , happy puppy licked my hand.

Try out this quiz on the Oxford comma!

The colon is typically used to introduce additional information.

• The detective had three suspects : the salesman, the gardener, and the lawyer.

Like commas, colons can also connect clauses together.

• We forgot to ask the most important question : who was buying lunch?

Colons have a few other uses, too.

• The meeting starts at 8:15 p.m.
• The priest started reading from Mark 3:6 .

Semicolon (;)

Like the comma and the colon, the semicolon is used to connect sentences together. The semicolon typically indicates that the second sentence is closely related to the one before it.

• I can’t eat peanuts ; I am highly allergic to them.
• Lucy loves to eat all kinds of sweets ; lollipops are her favorite.

Hyphen and dashes (en dash and em dash)

All three of these punctuation marks are often referred to as “dashes.” However, they are all used for entirely different reasons.

The hyphen is used to form compound words.

• I went to lunch with my father-in-law .
• She was playing with a jack-in-the-box .
• He was accused of having pro-British sympathies.

En dash (–)

The en dash is used to express ranges or is sometimes used in more complex compound words.

• The homework exercises are on pages 20–27 .
• The songwriter had worked on many Tony Award–winning productions.

Em dash (—)

The em dash is used to indicate a pause or interrupted speech.

• The thief was someone nobody expected —me !
• “Those kids will— ” was all he managed to say before he was hit by a water balloon.

Test your knowledge on the different dashes here.

Parentheses, brackets, and braces

These pairs of punctuation marks look similar, but they all have different uses. In general, the parentheses are much more commonly used than the others.

Parentheses ()

Typically, parentheses are used to add additional information.

• I thought (for a very long time) if I should actually give an honest answer.
• Tomorrow is Christmas (my favorite holiday) !

Parentheses have a variety of other uses, too.

• Pollution increased significantly. (See Chart 14B)
• He was at an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting.
• Richard I of England (1157–1199) had the heart of a lion.

Square brackets []

Typically, square brackets  are used to clarify or add information to quotations.

• According to an eyewitness, the chimpanzees “climbed on the roof and juggled [bananas] .”
• The judge said that “the defense attorney [Mr. Wright] had made it clear that the case was far from closed.”

Curly brackets {}

Curly brackets , also known as braces , are rarely used punctuation marks that are used to group a set.

• I was impressed by the many different colors {red, green, yellow, blue, purple, black, white} they selected for the flag’s design.

Angle brackets <>

Angle brackets have no usage in formal writing and are rarely ever used even in informal writing. These characters have more uses in other fields, such as math or computing.

Quotation marks and apostrophe

You’ll find these punctuation marks hanging out at the top of a line of text.

Quotation marks (“”)

The most common use of quotation marks is to contain quotations.

• She said, “ Don’t let the dog out of the house. ”
• Bob Ross liked to put “ happy little trees ” in many of his paintings.

Apostrophe (‘)

The apostrophe is most often used to form possessives and contractions.

• The house ’ s back door is open.
• My cousin ’ s birthday is next week.
• It isn ’ t ready yet.
• We should ’ ve stayed outside.

Slash and ellipses

These are two punctuation marks you may not see too often, but they are still useful.

The slash has several different uses. Here are some examples:

• Relationships: The existence of boxer briefs somehow hasn’t ended the boxers/briefs debate.
• Alternatives: They accept cash and/or credit.
• Fractions: After an hour, 2/3 of the audience had already left.

Ellipses (…)

In formal writing, ellipses are used to indicate that words were removed from a quote.

• The mayor said, “The damages will be … paid for by the city … as soon as possible.”

In informal writing, ellipses are often used to indicate pauses or speech that trails off.

• He nervously stammered and said, “Look, I … You see … I wasn’t … Forget it, okay.”

Make Your Writing Shine!

• By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy policies.
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Typographical symbols

Typographical symbols rarely appear in formal writing. You are much more likely to see them used for a variety of reasons in informal writing.

Asterisk (*)

In formal writing, especially academic and scientific writing, the asterisk is used to indicate a footnote.

• Chocolate is the preferred flavor of ice cream.* * According to survey data from the Ice Cream Data Center.

The asterisk may also be used to direct a reader toward a clarification or may be used to censor inappropriate words or phrases.

Ampersand (&)

The ampersand substitutes for the word and . Besides its use in the official names of things, the ampersand is typically avoided in formal writing.

•  The band gave a speech at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame .

Bullet Point (•)

Bullet points are used to create lists. For example,

For this recipe you will need:

• baking powder

Pound symbol (#)

Informally, the pound symbol is typically used to mean number or is used in social media hashtags.

• The catchy pop song reached #1 on the charts.
• Ready 4 Halloween 2morrow!!! #spooky #TrickorTreat

Besides being used as an accent mark in Spanish and Portuguese words, the tilde is rarely used. Informally, a person may use it to mean “about” or “approximately.”

• We visited São Paulo during our vacation.
• I think my dog weighs ~20 pounds.

Backslash (\)

The backslash is primarily used in computer programming and coding. It might be used online and in texting to draw emoticons , but it has no other common uses in writing. Be careful not to mix it up with the similar forward slash (/), which is a punctuation mark.

At symbol (@)

The at symbol substitutes for the word at in informal writing. In formal writing, it is used when writing email addresses.

• His email address is [email protected] .

Caret symbol (^)

The caret symbol is used in proofreading, but may be used to indicate an exponent if a writer is unable to use superscript .

• Do you know what 3 ^ 4 (3 to the power of 4) is equal to?

Pipe symbol (|)

The pipe symbol is not used in writing. Instead, it has a variety of functions in the fields of math, physics, or computing.

How much do you know about verbs? Learn about them here.

Ways To Say

Synonym of the day