ABSTRACT

Now in its second edition, Poetry: The Basics demystifies the traditions and forms of the world of poetry for all those who find it daunting or bewildering. Covering a wide range of poetic voices from Chaucer to children's rhymes, song lyrics and the words of contemporary poets, this book will help readers to appreciate poetry by examining:

  • technical aspects such as rhythm and measures
  • different tones of voice in poetry
  • the relationship between 'everyday' and 'poetic' language
  • how different types of poetry are structured
  • how the form and 'space' of a poem contribute to its meaning
  • some of the ways contemporary poets set to work.

A must-read for all those wishing to get to grips with reading and writing poetry, this book is a lively and inspiring introduction to its many styles and purposes right up to the present-day.

chapter 2|26 pages

Deliberate space

chapter 3|27 pages

Tones of voice

chapter 4|32 pages

Measures: the verse line

chapter 5|18 pages

‘Free verse’

chapter 6|19 pages

Rhyme and other noises

chapter 7|36 pages

Stanza

chapter 8|24 pages

Image – imagination – inspiration

chapter 10|1 pages

Conclusion