How to Write Poetry (Scholastic Guides) [Hardcover]

Paul B. Janeczko (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Scholastic Guides

Award-winning poet Paul B. Janeczko shares advice and instructions for writing poetry--from keeping a journal to developing an actual poem. The book also includes a detailed glossary of poetry terms and a bibliography of great poetry books.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Who says you can't teach someone how to write poetry? Paul B. Janeczko's thoughtful, clearly organized guide provides a terrific starting point for anyone who has ever dreamed of putting pen to paper to express a thought or feeling. Janeczko covers a range of techniques to help young poets create magic with words. In chapters titled "Getting Ready," "Starting to Write," "Writing Poems that Rhyme," "Writing Free Verse Poems," and "When Your Poem Is Finished," readers will pick up tips on keeping journals, paying attention to "sound effects," revising, understanding figurative language, and submitting poems to publishers. They'll also learn to avoid such pitfalls as assuming you'll remember a brilliant idea (write it down!), not getting hung up on neatness or spelling, and keeping in mind that lots of people try to get published--not everyone will be. Special features include writing exercises, tips from poets, and bibliographical information. There's also a checklist of good poetry books and a glossary. Janeczko's enthusiasm and skill is reflected in this enjoyable, straightforward guide. As he says, "It's all done with words. No high-tech special effects. No computer-enhanced remastered sound. No trick photography. Words. Those things we've used since we were babies. And when you sit down to write a poem, you have the power of the words at your fingertips." For more fun with poetry, try Janeczko's Favorite Poetry Lessons. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-In this practical and inspiring guide, Janeczko leads would-be poets through the writing process by beginning with the basics: looking for ideas, keeping a journal, and reading all types of poems. The next step is to start writing some simple poems to get used to the sounds words make when they are put together. The author suggests acrostic poems or short rhyming pieces such as synonym poems or clerihews (short rhymes about celebrities). Finally, writers are encouraged to move on to more advanced forms of free verse, including list poems, persona poems, and narrative poems. Interspersed throughout the text are tips from well-known poets, numerous examples, and writing exercises. Janeczko explains the writing techniques so well that young people will be tempted to pick up a pen and create some of their own work. The text is never intimidating; the tone is encouraging and supportive of taking risks with writing. An excellent glossary and "A Checklist of Good Poetry Books" are appended and the crisp, clear design is appealing. This book will be useful for students who are faced with poetry writing assignments but most especially for those who just want to explore the topic for their own pleasure.
Kristen Oravec, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Strongsville, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590100777
• ISBN-13: 978-0590100779
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,037,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Look no further!, April 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Write Poetry (Scholastic Guides) (Hardcover)

For those of us who teach poetry at the elementary level,Janeczko is indispensible -- and this recent release from Scholasticis further proof. Janeczko takes us through the entire writing process, from getting ready to "when your poem is finished", covering rhymed and unrhymed verse and encompassing the myriad of creative forms we've come to expect from this author/poet/teacher. He intersperses his chapters with offset boxes containing writing tips from well-known poets and includes a "Poetcraft" section where he explains in more detail the skills one needs to write. This book includes wonderful examples and an excellent checklist of good poetry books. In addition, it's aesthetically pleasing: the lovely cover, user-friendly format and easy-to-read font make it a real gem! Grab this one!

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem: Small and Valuable, April 3, 2001

By 

F. Hamilton "[e-mail]" (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Write Poetry (Scholastic Guides) (Hardcover)

Any thoughts I might ever have entertained about writing a book on poetry writing were quickly dispelled when I discovered Paul Janeczko's guide. HOW TO WRITE POETRY is the book I hope I would have written on this subject.

First of all, the small format and conversational style invite the reader in. Janeczko begins by suggesting ways for writers to catalog their words and ideas. In addition to notebooks, he recommends the use of a tape recorder when writing notes is not practical. Janeczko also emphasizes the importance of reading. Throughout the book he provides bibliographic lists that provide more information on concepts in each chapter. Yet another list of good poetry anthologies is included at the end of the book.

After a sketch of the writing process, Janeczko describes several specific kinds of poems: acrostic poems, synonym poems, opposite poems, clerihews, list poems, poems of address, persona poems, and narrative poems. Elements especially important in poetry (sound, images, word choice, figurative language, and line breaks) are discussed in a recurring "Poetcraft" feature. Poems by students and by famous poets amply illustrate both the poetic elements and the particular formats. Biographical notes on all poets are included near the end of the book.

Other special recurring features of HOW TO WRITE POETRY include "Writing Tip from a Poet," "Try This" (specific suggestions for writing), and various checklists. In addition to the biographical and bibliographical information mentioned earlier, the book includes an index and a comprehensive, cross-referenced glossary, which even includes examples of various formats.

Although Janeczko maintains that poems must be written for oneself, he also suggests many ways to "publish" finished poems -- from handmade books to cards and posters, to submitting to magazines and contests. He recommends MARKET GUIDE FOR YOUNG WRITERS by Kathy Henderson (Writer's Digest Books, 1996) as an invaluable resource for those interested in submitting for publication.

Even beyond the pertinent subjects Janeczko includes, however, is the manner in which he conveys his information. Having taught English and compiled more than a dozen poetry anthologies, Janeczko is a master who projects wholehearted confidence that young poets can and will succeed.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a WONDERFUL BOOK, January 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Write Poetry (Scholastic Guides) (Hardcover)

I ACTUALLY PURCHASED THIS BOOK FROM MY SON'S READING CLUB @ SCHOOL. ALTHOUGH IT IS DESIGNED WITH THE YOUNGER READER IN MIND, IT IS WRITTEN IN SUCH A SINCERE, STRAIGHTFORWARD, NON-CONDESCENDING MANNER, THAT I TOO CAN BENEFIT. THIS BOOK WILL HELP ME WITH ALL OF MY FUTURE POETRY WRITING.