How to Write Haiku and Other Short Poems

by Paul B. Janeczko

How to Write Haiku and Other Short Poems

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

133 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Paul B. Janeczko is a poet and teacher and has edited more than twenty award-winning poetry anthologies for young people, including STONE BENCH IN AN EMPTY PARK, LOOKING FOR YOUR NAME, SEEING THE BLUE BETWEEN, and A POKE IN THE I, which was an American Library Association Notable Book.

Reviews

[Sam Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The central idea of this book is to teach and to help the reader understand Haiku. Haiku is a type of poetry. It’s a difficult type of poetry to write, which is why it’s important for the writer to help the reader know the basics, and learn without complication. This book explains why poetry is really important, and a fun things to learn, and expand your knowledge in the poetry world and be creative. Poetry allows you to explore creation and language arts.


Poetry, this word is important because this is what the book is about. Haiku poetry, is a difficult poetry. Without the word poetry it would be hard to understand what this book is about, it would be easy to pick up the idea though. Poetry is a type of language arts, that explores the world of creation. poem/poetry, is important for not only what i've said above, but it’s a way to communicate on another level.


I think poetry is so amazing. I liked the book because it taught me something, and explained the importance of poetry. I Like poetry because i like creativity. The book was confusing at times but i picked things up. You wouldn't think you need to learn poetry, but that is wrong. I never knew poetry went this deep in thought and took this much thinking. As a kid i always wrote “poems” but taking your imagination to the next level allows you to dig into poetry more.

[Dorothy Mahoney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good intro to haiku, haibun, senryu, tanka and renga with examples, notebook exercises and partner work, as well as ways to improve your craft. Good for classroom applications esp. the segment on the writing process. Unfortunately, the syllable count is no longer applicable and many examples included prove it. Improve your craft #7 on page 52-54 suggests 'thinking small' with instructions to make a frame to zoom in on details in your backyard. This makes a difficult form accessible.

[Scott Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to poetry. He also goes over the writing process and makes it understandable to children. He goes over the need for the writing notebook and the need for a writing partner.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVERYTHING you need to know about writing haiku, including other variations on this popular form of poetry is documented in this teacher-friendly book. Janeczko has thought of it all! This form of poetry is one I usually teach each other, but after reading How To Write Haiku and Other Short Poems, I feel I have shortchanged my students in the past. Tips on how to improve the craft of writing a haiku poem make this a wonderful resource: using seasonal words, seeing the images, and focusing in on a small moment help make haikus more clear to young writers. The other kinds of short poems detailed in the book (and the easy to follow step-by-step directions to guide novice writers through the writing process) is invaluable. Senryu (complete with a planning sheet using a four-square brainstorming guide: I hate it when...Did you ever notice how...I wonder what would happen if...I can't believe that...), haibun, renga, tanka, synonym poems and limericks leave a teacher reeling! So many choices, so little time! I especially appreciated the last section about how to give poems as gifts, as this is my end goal for Poetry Month with Mother's Day rounding the bend the early part of May.
*copy purchased through bonus points through Scholastic

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janeczko lays out a good plan for writing haiku. It is clear and easy to understand. Written for middle schoolers, it is not an exhaustive, in-depth examination of haiku. That is one of the reasons I like it. I think it would be a great book fo a classroom library or a budding young poet.

[Catherine Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book about writing haiku and other short forms of poetry. Written with children in mind, but it has some great ideas for classroom activities and some good examples of haiku and other poems.

[Jennifer Ware · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good help.