4.6 Writing Rhyming Poems

Why Write Poetry?

OK, we know you have to write poetry for school, but why do people write poetry? It helps to have a purpose and an audience.

Purposes for writing poetry? What can you think of?

to entertain
to capture a moment in life, in science, in history, in art....
to delight in the magic of language - the patterns and musicality of it
to persuade in a most entertaining way
to be mysterious - to say "things" without actually saying them
to vent or spew emotion - anger, rage, pain, sadness, peace, happiness - to pour emotion onto a page
to complete an assignment for school

Audiences for poetry? Who would like to read your poetry?

Some people write for their family members.
Some people write for themselves - to process the events of the day or to pour out their hearts. Not all poets need an audience.
Your teacher may be your audience, but hopefully you can share your poetry with others, too.
Some people write poems to be put to music and played on the radio.