how to…

Write Poetry
Lesson 1: Meet Meter – Iambic Pentameter is defined by having 10 syllables per line.

Exercise #1 – Read each pair of lines out loud, noting the rhythm of iambic pentameter. Mark the
weak/strong syllables like this:

He bangs the drum and makes a dreadful noise.

After you have done this, read each pair of lines out loud once more, exaggerating the stresses on
each beat.

That time of year, thou mayst in me behold.

When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang

SHAKESPEARE: Sonnet 73

In sooth I know not why I am so sad:

It wearies me; you say it wearies you;

SHAKESPEARE: The Merchant of Venice, Act I, Scene 1

Their wand’ring course, now high, now low, then hid

Progressive, retrograde, or standing still

MILTON, Paradise Lost, Book VIII

Oft has our poet wisht, this happy Seat

Might prove his fading Muse’s last retreat

DRYDEN: ‘Epilogue to Oxford’

And, spite of Pride, in erring Reason’s spite,

One truth is clear, ‘Whatever is, is right.’

DRYDEN: ‘Epilogue to Oxford’

Now fades the glimm’ring landscape on the sight

And all the air a solemn stillness holds.

GRAY: ‘Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard’

And certain hopes are with me, that to thee

This labour will be welcome, honoured Friend!

WORDSWORTH: The Prelude, Book One

St. Agnes’ Eve – Ah, bitter chill it was!

The owl for all his feathers was a-cold;

KEATS: ‘The Eve of St. Agnes’

Exercise #2 – write 10 lines of your own iambic pentameter. Do not try to rhyme – just write with the
heartbeat of iambic pentameter.

Example:

I want you all to do this exercise.

It may seem hard at first, but you should try!