5 tips on writing poetry to take your skills to the next level
- Written byCarys Thomas
- Published date 17 February 2025
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Poetry has been an important part of human life for thousands of years and continues to appeal to audiences today as a source of comfort and connection in difficult times.
From Greek epics to limericks and ‘Instapoetry’, the evolution of this art form has seen a resurgence in sales of poetry books in recent years. Spoken word performances and ‘poetry slams’ where aspiring creators can share their material in front of a live audience, are increasingly popular with many of us reaching for a pen and paper.
Here we’ll share 5 top tips to help you take your poetry to the next level, with advice from award-winning poet and writer, Theresa Lola. Theresa currently runs our Poetry for Beginners and Intermediate Poetry online short courses and loves to share her passion for the written word with students from all walks of life.
Take a look at our full range of creative writing short courses.
1. Discover the power of reading
Reading as much as possible is one of the best things you can do to improve your writing. Many writers talk about the importance of reading to develop your skills, from building your vocabulary to finding inspiration and exploring new ideas.
“Read widely (not just poetry) as it can inspire ideas,” says Theresa, ‘It can also help you better perceive what poetry offers differently to other genres.”
Create a personal reading list and read as many different genres as you can to appreciate a variety of writing styles. Try highlighting or noting down any words or phrases that you find interesting and study the way different writers use language to capture interest.
Consider how writers use poetic techniques for different effects and build a glossary of literary devices that you can incorporate into your own writing.
2. Develop a writing habit
They say practice makes perfect. Creative writing is no different from any other skill – it requires time and dedication to improve your skills. Developing a regular writing habit can be a great way to refine your voice and style.
Try to set aside a few minutes every day to write. Take a small notepad out with you and make a note of any interesting snippets from your day. It could be a small exchange you heard on the bus, a phrase you spotted on a poster or even a song lyric.
Creative writing prompts can be especially useful if you’re not sure where to start. Allow yourself to relax and enjoy the process, knowing that what you write doesn’t have to be perfect. Ideas can come from anywhere.
“Remember why you love poetry,” says Theresa, “your reasons may change over time, but hold on to that love as that’s your best fuel.”
3. Experiment with poetic techniques and forms
Experimenting with different poetic techniques is a great way to expand your creativity, knowledge and technical skills.
Think about a poem that inspires you. What form is it? Is it a sonnet, elegy, ballad, ode or lyric? How is it structured? Does it use rhyme or meter? Consider the effect of these stylistic choices and why it works.
A poem’s form or structure can shape its meaning or emotional impact. Shakespearean sonnets, for example, are associated with love and written in iambic pentameter to mimic the beat of the human heart.
Building your knowledge of different techniques will help you learn how to adapt your voice to different themes, moods and audiences. “Treat words like precious jewels,” says Theresa, “consider where you are dropping them, and how many are needed.”
4. Use vivid imagery and unique language
Literary devices like metaphors and similes can help bring a poem to life. Spend some time researching literary devices and their applications to see how they could improve your creative writing.
Sensory details can help readers visualise and experience the poem, making it more engaging and emotive. Describing sights, sounds, tastes, smells and textures can help to draw a reader into the poem and create mood and atmosphere.
“Bring your imagination into your memory to create something that excites you,” advises Theresa. “Avoid forcing readers to feel something, it can be an outcome, but if that’s the sole focus it restricts what else the poem can be and do.”
For inspiration, Theresa recommends 5 great contemporary poets to read: Fran Lock, Vidyan Ravinthiran, Jacqueline Saphra, Karen McCarthy Woolf, and Raymond Antrobus.
5. Learn from an expert
Taking a short course is a great opportunity to learn from an expert, experienced writer who can help you develop your skills in a positive and productive way.
Our creative writing short courses offer a supportive environment to build confidence, find inspiration and meet like-minded people. Regular classes can also help you stay motivated through dedicated writing time.
“Teaching poetry is a way to share the poems I love and draw more inspiration from it,” says Theresa. “I love the idea of breaking poetry apart and working with others to piece it together. In that process [students] discover what poetry has been and its possibilities.”
Read what our creative writing students have to say:
Feeling inspired? If you’d like to see how a short course could help you achieve your creative goals, take a look at our upcoming short courses to see what’s coming up.
