The Basics
What is a haiku? A haiku is a japanese form of poetry often commenting on or describing nature. Traditionally, they are three lines and follow a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. To learn more about the haiku and how to write it, please check out our other post: Haiku: A Beginner's Guide.
5 Tips To Writing Effective Haiku
Use imaginative, powerful, and elegant words. This is especially important, since the number of words(syllables) in your poem is limited. Try to pick powerful words and descriptions that can create a dazzling image on their own. By doing this you will maximize the strength of your poem.
Be unique. Whenever you are writing poetry (or any kind of fiction), it is always best to be unique. Every individual is different, special in their own way, so let your inner voice flood into the poem. Unique poems stand out. Fresh ideas and descriptives are more appealing than cliche ones. Intriguing diction makes an intriguing poem. So, create poetry with fresh and unique style. Be you and your poem will shine!
Finish the poem with a twist. Traditionally, the final line in a haiku is supposed to introduce a new idea, perhaps, a loosely related one. This generally creates a powerful cliffhanger sort of experience, which packs even more intensity into the short form of the haiku, without causing the poem to fall apart (if the three lines were all different topics it would have no cohesion) Here is an example:
Rippled mirror, bent (the first line introduces the ripple on water)
Spirals, crisp image fading (the second line elaborates on the ripple)
Soft song of robins (the last line is about singing robins)
Stick to the syllable structure. This is especially important if you are trying to create a traditional haiku, and less important if you are creating a contemporary one. Still, most people will appreciate it if you write a haiku that follows the 5-7-5 syllable structure, because it is generally trickier to create.
Infuse your poem with a vivid image. It is important to start out creating your poem with a well developed image in mind. This will allow you to pick stronger words and descriptives to use in your haiku, and will result in a more effective poem.
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