Creative Writing Poetry Assignment

The Seven Commandments For Beginning Poets

Thou shalt, whenever possible, avoid: 1. Use of archaic language/diction to try to elevate the tone to “poetic” Suggestion: strive for the plain style 2. Inverted syntax to try to elevate tone or force rhyme/meter Suggestion: strive for the plain style 3. Too much abstract terminology Suggestion: use concrete details to support/explain abstract ideas 4. Being confusing for confusion’s sake Suggestion: strive for clarity and accessibility 5. Use of clichés Suggestion: use language that surprises and specifies 6. Absence of standard punctuation (for no reason) Suggestion: use standard punctuation unless the subject matter absolutely warrants something different 7. Too many exact rhymes (especially in shorter lines)

Suggestion: try slant rhymes if rhyme is desired

So sayeth your creative writing professor.