How to Speak Poetically

Co-authored by Stephanie Jeret

Last Updated: August 18, 2024

If you’ve ever heard someone like Maya Angelou or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak, you may have noticed how beautiful and lyrical their words sound. That’s because they’re masters of speaking poetically. If you want to speak in a more poetic way, you don’t have to be a famous poet or orator to do it. You can actually work to improve your own speaking so it sounds more poetic. To help you out, we’ve answered a few common questions about how you can do it.

Question 1 of 6:

What does it mean to speak poetically?

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It means to speak in a way that is beautiful or expresses emotion. Poetry uses lots of expressive and vivid language to create an image in the reader’s head. Speaking poetically refers to speaking in a way that is like poetry or like a poet would speak, such as using clever turns of phrase and metaphors.^{[1]
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- If someone uses metaphors and flowery descriptions, such as, “Her eyes were like chains that held me captive” you could say they were speaking poetically.
- Speaking poetically can also mean you’re describing something really beautifully. For instance, you could say something like, “I need his love like I need the very air I breathe.”

Question 2 of 6:

How do you use poetic language?

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Pack as much meaning as you can into your language. Poetic language uses “figurative” language as opposed to “literal” language. Figurative language uses poetic devices like metaphors to convey more than the words themselves mean. To use poetic language, choose words and phrases that add more meaning and emotion into what you’re saying.^{[2]
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- For instance, when Martin Luther King Jr. said, “I have a dream,” he didn’t mean he actually had a dream, but a hopeful vision for the future.
- If you’ve ever heard someone say something like, “I love you to the moon and back,” or “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get,” they’re using poetic language.

Question 3 of 6:

What makes prose beautiful?

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Prose with poetic elements makes it more beautiful. Prose is a form of writing that uses a standard form and structure (think of a regular paragraph of text). By incorporating poetic elements such as metaphor, simile, rhyme, alliteration, and striking imagery, you can make your prose even more beautiful.
- For instance, you could take an ordinary sentence like, “Jane went to the park and had lunch” and turn it into something like, “Jane sauntered over to a rusty park bench and munched on a juicy roast beef sandwich.”

Question 4 of 6:

How do you sound out a poem?

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Use the structure of the poem to read it out loud. Poems use line breaks, rhyme, and other devices to help you read it the way it’s intended. Line breaks are designed for you to read the poem in a specific tempo and cadence. Rhyme schemes also help you read the poem in a specific way and put emphasis on the rhyming words. Read the poem using the structure and devices the poet used to write it.
- Some poetry, such as prose poetry, may be designed to be read just like you would a normal paragraph. Other poetry, such as spoken word, is designed to be interpreted by the speaker.

Question 5 of 6:

How do I make my poems sound better when I read them?

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Read your poem out loud to other people for feedback. Once you’ve written your poem, read it out loud to hear how it sounds so you can make changes to tighten it up. When you feel confident and good about it, try reading it out loud to someone else such as a friend or a teacher. Ask them what they thought of it and if they have any thoughts about what you can do to make it sound better.
- It can take lots of time and multiple revisions to create a great poem. Be patient and keep at it!

Question 6 of 6:

How can I improve my spoken word poetry?

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Choose a topic you feel passionate about. Spoken word poetry is meant to be really emotive and powerful. One way to make your poetry stronger is to focus on things that you personally feel very strongly about. Use topics, events, and stories that you have a strong emotional connection to, which will make your poetry feel more genuine and expressive.^{[3]
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- For instance, if you’re passionate about the environment or equal rights, use them in your poetry!
- You can also choose something from your personal life, such as someone you love or something emotionally powerful that you experienced.
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Use repetition and wordplay to create a flow. Poetic devices like rhyme and meter can play a big role in spoken word poetry, but you can really kick yours up to the next level with some high-quality wordplay. Additionally, use repetition to drive home specific points and infuse your poetry with even more emotion. In spoken word poetry, the way the poem sounds is just as important as the words you use.^{[4]
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- Include a clever mix of imagery, emotions, and interesting sounds.
- For instance, you could use rhyme, repetitive sounds, and metaphors and say something like, “I use similar similes as a way to get you to like me.”
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Watch other spoken word poets perform. Visit poetry open mics and scheduled events to watch other poets perform their work. Listen to the way they deliver their poems and how they use language, imagery, and wordplay to craft a compelling and engaging piece. Use their work to help inspire and inform your own poetry and performances.^{[5]
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- You can also lookup performances online so you can watch them over and over.

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Tips

If you want to get better at speaking poetically, practice as often as you can.

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Try reading your poem in a few different ways to find what works best.

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