Introduction to Poetry

Poetry is a form of creative writing that contains literary devices unique to the style and type of poem that is written. These devices allow one to distinguish poetry from other formal styles of writing. Often, poetry is a shorter and more condensed form of expression that is different from other genres such as fiction, non-fiction, and the personal essay.

In this introduction to poetry we will be exploring some popular forms of poetry that include the sonnet, sestina, villanelle, haiku, and free verse. These styles demonstrate the different shape and form a poem may have based on length, lineation and use of stanzas. These elements help establish the cadence or movement and flow of the poem. Diction also plays an important role in poetry because it too helps determine a poems cadence through syllable stresses. Through combining varying elements of particular devices the life and spirit of the poem is revealed.

A link to the poem "Poetry" by Marianne Moore is provided below. Her poem is a good introductory poem because of its ability to communicate the possibilities that poetry has to offer.
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/poetry/