How to Write a Poem

by John Redmond

An innovative introduction to writing poetry designed for students of creative writing and budding poets alike.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published September 2, 2005

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide to elements of poetry and how they produce effects. Redmond focuses on the relational aspects of these elements, and the poetic examples he uses are new to me. This feels very useful to both readers and writers of poetry.

I wish he could have written more, though. He only touched on two traditional forms: the ode and the epistle, and he skipped some elements such as rhyme/meter so it’s not comprehensive. But it’s maybe more approachable because of what it leaves out.

My single peeve (or question) is that although he tries to dispel the notion of the poet as a mystical creature a la the Romantics, he still says that good poetry is about the poet’s personality. It’s a contradictory idea that needs more exploring.

[Karolina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book not as useful as others that I have read in the past on this subject. While the name of this book is 'how to write a poem' I didn't really find any comprehensive and structured instructions, this was more of a critique after critique of different types of poems (a reasonably varied selection though) which was all well but chapter after chapter it tires you immensely. This book reads more as a how to perceive/think about poetry and poems rather than how to write them.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a helpful book. really instructive, interesting and productive.