Poetry writing challenge
This line uses the abstract word “happy.” To improve this line, change the abstract word to a concrete image. Change Abstract Words Into Concrete Words “Abstract” describes an idea, thought, or feeling–something you can’t use your five senses to describe. “Concrete” means something you can experience with your senses: you can see, smell, hear, taste, or touch it. Therefore, if the poet uses such a word, the reader may take a different meaning from it than the poet intended. Further, “liberty,” “happy,” and “love” can mean different things to different people. As a result, when used in poetry, these words might simply fly over the reader’s head, without triggering any sensory response. “Liberty” is a concept, “happy” is a feeling, and no one can agree on whether “love” is a feeling, a concept or an action.Ī person can’t see, touch, or taste any of these things. When the reader has a “picture” of what the poem is talking about, he/she can better understand what the poet is talking about.Ībstract words refer to concepts or feelings. Poets use concrete words help the reader get a “picture” of what the poem is talking about. And with room for interpretation comes room for misunderstanding [Source: Use Concrete Words Instead of Abstract Words.Ĭoncrete words describe things that people experience with their senses.Ī person can see orange, feel warm, or hear a cat. This becomes really evident if you read different translations of the same texts. It’s meaning isn’t perfectly clear, and you have to interpret it. One of the biggest problems with any language is the inherent ambiguity in an abstract word. Here are some tip on writing with concrete words: Poetry Writing Tips: Read my Submission below, but first some Poetry Writing Tips: You may of course, write about whatever you choose and still tag our A and I Poetry Challenge so that other readers can find your poetry post. The prompt is merely a suggestion if you need help getting started with ideas. Discuss which version you like best and why. Write the same poem again and try to use concrete words. June Prompt Write a poem about something small that is only 5 lines long. I can’t wait to read what you come up with this month. Those who have never taken up the pen before, are writing fantastic poems. The A and I Poetry Writing Challenge has been running for several months and our poetic community grows each month.