How to Write a Poem

WRAP-UP

The poet Jimmy Baca demands the best from his students. He pushes them to observe their worlds as carefully as possible. If you wish, you can start writing poetry right now.  Pay close attention to the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations around you – and then put those observations into words.

IN THIS LESSON YOU…

• Matched words with one of the five senses
• Identified how the senses are used in writing
• Wrote a poem, using details and the senses

ON YOUR OWN:

• Find a quiet or convenient place to write – outside or indoors, or riding a bus or train. Concentrate on one sense and write for five minutes, recording what you observe with that one sense. For example, if you're on a bus, you might start by describing the sound of the doors opening and the voices of the other passengers. Do the same for the other four senses.  Write for a total of 25 minutes.

• Start keeping a journal in which you vividly describe one event, thought, or observation each day.

• Use your journal entries as inspiration for poetry. Pick an entry. Can you make it longer by adding details or using additional senses? Is it part of a larger story you want to tell or emotion you want to explore?
• Go to the library and find books on how to write poetry. Do an internet search, too. You’ll find lots of poems to read online! You can also find a lot of resources to help you get started with your poetry.