| Author | Message | ||
| David Dumais
Valued Member Username: scribbledhopes Post Number: 155 Registered: 03-2008 |
Poem punctuation frustrates me. In the ongoing effort to improve my writing, I have been working on fine tuning my punctuation. Though a very easy thing for some, some of the finer rules can to me be a bit confusing. I have reread "Elements of style" at least a dozen times. I am trying to burn the rules into my brain, so all I have to do is close my eyes and there they are. But with poetry I find it a frustrating. On purpose conjunctions are sometimes omitted, lines divided, pauses extensive and entire poems set up for shape alone. Sometimes when I think I know the rules, and I omit a comma or skip a period to unnaturally lengthen something it is pointed out. Trivial for some I am sure, but for someone who is trying to cut his teeth on this, it is perplexing. I know the advice is excellent. So I sit back and wonder if I broke the rules again. Is there a book, Elements of style, Poetry version? I am always trying to improve my writing, I take advice with respect and I try to learn from it. Sometimes I step back for the bigger picture and it becomes clear, but here, not so much. (Message edited by scribbledhopes on July 12, 2008) I write, I offer, I listen and only then I learn.. | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 9766 Registered: 07-2002 |
David, The 'rules' of grammar and punctuation exist to aid the reader. They are the signposts and traffic signals of the written word. Here is an example of dramatic meaning alteration with changes in punctuation: http://grammar.about.com/od/punctuationandmechanics/a/punctmatters07.htm Quite a difference, LOL. It gets trickier in poetry, where there are additional tools to indicate intent, including the powerful effects of line breaks and stanza breaks. Poetry also differs from prose in that poetry is not trying to *directly* communicate an idea. Instead, poetry is like mutual induction. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mutual+induction In this case, poetry employs images and figurative language to create the 'charge' in the reader, rather than using any grammatically correct argument to tell the reader anything. That's where the creative use of punctuation comes in. However, to break the rules, the poet needs to have a firm grip of the rules. If the poet is going to use non standard punctuation, it needs to be done consciously, knowing that the end result will create a greater 'charge'. Does that make sense? best, ljc Once in a Blue Muse Blog LJCohen | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 30722 Registered: 11-1998 |
Dear David -- while it is often best to stick to proper punctuation (especially if you are relatively new to composing poetry or you are unsure about punctuation use), you can get more creative with punctuation in poetry if you like. Of course, e e cummings comes to mind as an example of what an artist can do with punctuation, so he might be a good model to study if you want to see something more avant-garde. It might also be useful to think about punctuation in poetry the same way that composers think of notation in music. Punctuation is often used to tell the reader when to pause, rest, or take a breath. Each piece of punctuation indicates longer stops -- comma being the shortest, followed by semi-colons and colons and dashes, with periods being thought of as full stops. Perhaps it might be beneficial to think of and practice using it in this way. The best resource I've found on punctuation (as well as every other element of grammar) is The Harbrace College Handbook. It's easy to find things in it and has complete and easy-to-understand discussions and examples. It is most often used in college classrooms, and it was a requirement to own when I was a literature major. Elements of Style was as well, but I always found that resource drier and downright boring. *smile* I hope something I've offered will be of some use to you. Love, M | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Moderator Username: garydawg Post Number: 24584 Registered: 07-2001 |
David, put away the prose guides and study those meant for poetry. (Sorry, M.) In my view the very best is The Poet's Companion. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0393316548?tag=wildpoetryfor-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0393316548&adid=0EM0A1MP9YT3XB4A4F5R& There are others in the Wild bookstore. Some puncuation gets in the way in poetry - it interferes visually, takes away from a clean look. I believe we need enough to assist the reader, but not so much punc becomes what we notice. That's one reason I take out semicolons and usually substitute a dash. And a reason in free verse, punc is often left out altogether... For voice, punc should give us clues as to phase length as to line and stana breaks if we pay attention. Smiles. Gary Celebrate Walt with Gary: http://www.poetrykit.org/pkl/tw10/tw4conte.htm | ||
| Ros Badcoe (Rosemary)
Intermediate Member Username: endolith Post Number: 452 Registered: 03-2008 |
Using dashes instead of semicolons - that's a personal thing, though, is it Gary? I like the look of a semicolon, myself - and I tend to think that dashes should come in pairs, separating a bit of a clause or something. Semicolons can work alone. |
