Author: kwhiddon

POETRY CHECKLIST

1. Sentimentality--  Sentimentality is "writing that indulges emotion in excess of what caused it or that doesn't earn--through imagery, metaphor, detail--the emotion it asks a reader to feel;  writing burdened with clichés; writing more interested in crude self-expression than in moving a reader"  Is the poem overly sentimental?  melodramatic?  Is the emotion overt?  Try to make sure that any emotion is in the poem is subtle.  (Tip: Less is more.  Understatement creates more emotion in the reader.)

2.  Clichés--  Does the poem have any clichés?  If it does, suggest that the writer use a new way to express this old idea.

3.  Rhyme--  Does the poem rhyme?  If it rhymes, is the rhyme sing-songy?  Do most of the rhyming words end with end-stopped lines?  Correct this. The writer should use enjambment as much as possible.  Or, better yet, if the rhyme is sing-songy, suggest that the writer try to write the poem without rhyming.

4. Originality--  Has the writer brought anything new to this piece?  An interesting phrase?  Interesting wording? Interesting ideas?  Is there anything fresh or unique in this poem?  

5. Showing or Telling?--  Does the poem show rather than tell? The poem should show through images that create emotion in the reader rather than simply telling about the emotion. It should give the reader some credit for being able to figure things out on his/her own.  Is the meaning appropriately ambiguous without being obscure?  The poem should use concrete words (words you can experience through the five senses--table, cat, cotton, breeze, spicy etc.) rather than abstract words (words that represent ideas--love, hate, fear, excitement, sympathy, philosophy, care, etc.).  The abstract ideas may be felt by the reader, but, in most cases, the ideas should not be verbalized by the poet.  

6.  Meter--  Does the rhythm of the poem work with the meaning that is conveyed?  Can you detect a meter? Is it iambic? trochaic? anapestic? Is any part of the rhythm off?  Too many syllables?  Too few?

7.  Alliteration, Assonance--  Does the poem use alliteration or assonance?  Does it work well?  Is there too much?  Could the poem use more alliteration or assonance?

8.  Metaphor--  Is there a metaphor in the poem?  More than one?  Are they handled well?  Is it too overt?  Is it too obscure?  Do you sense that there is a metaphor, but you just can't get the connection?  How could this be helped?

9.  Simile--  If the writer uses similes, are they original and not clichéd?  If they are clichéd, do you suggest changing them or taking them out?

10.  Wordiness--  In a poem you want to convey a meaning using as few words as possible to do so.  The words you use should be startling and clear, nothing unnecessary.  Are there too many unnecessary words in the poem, small words used for filler?  Where one word can be used in place of three or four, always opt for one.  Cross out words you don't feel are necessary.

11.  Diction--  Are there any words that seem inappropriate to the poem, either they have a different meaning than the writer is intending, or they have a different connotation.  Sometimes words are inappropriate because they don't fit the tone of the poem.  Do any words stand out, just don't  seem to fit?  Does the poem use archaic language (or any language) that isn't appropriate to the speaker, the setting, the time frame?

12.  Syntax--  Do the structures of the sentences within the poem make sense?  Where do they need improvement?

13.  Line Breaks--  Do you understand why the writer ended lines where he/she did?  Do the line breaks work? Would this poem benefit from different breaks?  Does the form of the poem mimic the meaning behind the poem?

14.  Overall Impression--  Does the poem have the overall effect you think the writer was trying for?  Is it a good effect?  Will you remember this poem?