Poetry is one of the earliest forms of literature, second only to playwriting. What differentiates poetry from prose is the use of metered verse to convey emotions, ideas and even ideologies. While the metered verse aspect of poetry is important, it can apply to both in rhyme and free verse (Take cues from these Top ten Poets of the 20th Century). However, modern schools of thought have included prose poetry and alternative forms of poetry.

Like all good writing, poetry must contain something that’s very real in your heart, but at the same time makes use of powerful imagery and remain evocative with using only fewer words than you would with prose.

1. Read and listen to poetry. Before trying to write poems yourself, try to delve into diverse poetry. Take note of the emotions of the poem, what your interpretation of the poem is and how the poem was constructed. Analyze the poem. Poems usually have their own internal rhythm, whether they are fixed or not.

Whatever your ambition or purpose in wanting to become a poet, there are essential components in training that are verifiably used for successful exposition. Nothing should be absolutely adhered to if it pushes you out of balance as a person. So take these mandates in a moderate manner, as it appeals to your well-being.

Many poets prescribe a poet in training to read a mass of materials before entering into the actual writing stage. But we can do it either way, really. If you feel uncomfortable writing without being familiar with technical aspects, then read. But if we desire to just write, that is not a problem.

First thing you should do is buy a notebook paper and a binder. It doesn’t have to be big, or small, medium sized is best. In this notebook, you will have two sections: observation and reflection. Each day, write in this notebook, marking each top of the page, or section of the page if it is a reflection or observation.

1 Make contact

There are a number of online poetry groups dedicated to supporting young poets, such as Pomegranate.me.uk and Poetrysociety.org.uk. The Poetry Society is celebrating its centenary this year and its website offers access to PS groups in your area as well as news of readings and copies of its quarterly publication.

2 Get social networking

Join any one of the many poetry groups on Facebook. “Poetry” is a global Facebook group, where you can post examples of your work; “the Poet’s Lounge” is UK-based and dedicated to performance poetry.

3 Self-publicise

Start your own poetry-dedicated social networking page or blog – or post your work on your existing MySpace or Facebook entries.

To write poetry, you must be willing to dig deep down into your soul. You must write the truth. You must write your feelings and views with a passion. These are very hard things to teach, so I will focus on the more technical aspects of writing poetry.

You try to add a unique perspective, but you know that so many other poets have described the sunrise and the sunset. You wonder how you could think of the universe and the stars in a new way. Well, you would be surprised. Many aspiring poets also struggle with getting the imagery in their verse just right.

First of all, in order to write with imagery, you must visualize the subject of your poem. If it is a poem about a tree, see the tree. You must also write down what you feel about the tree. Don’t leave out any detail. What do the leaves smell like? If the poem is about a blazing fire, watch the flames flicker.

Watch the blossoms in the garden open up, breathing the air. See the orange flames lapping at the candle’s wick. Can you hear the crackle of the fire burning in the fireplace? The blossom can cry, shedding the petals. The fire can voice its fury with a cackle.

What constitutes good poetry differs from person to person, and what one reader might enjoy, another will not. Judging a good poem is very subjective. Basically, this means there is no way to truly determine what ‘good’ poetry is, but there is a way to tell if poetry is ‘bad.’

Poetry, more than any other type of writing, is usually very personal or emotional. Because of this, readers will like poetry with which they can feel a personal or emotional connection and probably won’t like poetry with which they cannot connect. Just because someone can’t relate to the emotion of a poem doesn’t mean the poem is bad, and just because some can relate to a poem doesn’t necessarily mean it is good. Like I said, it’s very subjective.

The first thing you most know about poetry is that there is no set of ‘rules’ for poetry. While there are some guidelines for certain types of poetry, such as a haiku (which is written in seventeen-syllable verse form, arranged in three lines of five, seven and five syllables), most poetry tends to be free verse. Some of it rhymes and some of it doesn’t, and that’s okay!

When writing poetry, avoid using all caps or toggling between upper and lower case. This does nothing to appeal to the reader and actually detracts from the visual imagery your words are supposed to convey.

Here are my six personal tips to fellow beginners on making a good poem. I mentioned “fellow” because I am just also starting poetry “business. Make sure you follow them and do your best, too!!

1. 5 sense organs. Remember them?, obviously you do. It’s back to basics. If you want readers to appreciate your poetry, then you must make sure that they feel its essence figuratively through sight (readers must at least imagine your poem), hearing (they must hear the poem as you speaking to them), scent (they must also smell the aroma of your poem), taste (they must also taste your poem’s message), and of course, touch (they must like being caressed by your poems!).

2. Choose your topic. Well, you really can’t write any word to begin your poetry if you don’t know what you’re writing about. First, you must choose your topic. Almost, anything under the sun can be made into poetry. Any ideas and/or experiences, world situations, journal, or even just pure fiction can be poetry. If your heart desires something it can’t get, then go write a poem about your yearning.