Punctuation And Its Use In Poetry By

Punctuation is an indispensable component of written language. Whether we are aware, it aids in comprehension. It signals to the reader how the sentence is to be read so that the meaning becomes apparent. For instance, a period signals that the sentence is a statement, and therefore generally read with a neutral tone or even in a falling intonation, whereas a question mark indicates a question, signaling that it should be spoken with a rising intonation. Punctuation also tells the readers the emotion, for instance through the exclamation point. Punctuation has many uses in language, both oral and written, which is why it should not be taken for granted, especially in complicated written forms like poetry.People who are new at poetry are often confused by the role of punctuation in poetry. Some have accused others of using line breaks as punctuation and dismiss the work immediately. The thing is, poetry has been around for a long, long time, even preceding writing, and so it often exp eriments with the rules of language. Some poets adhere to the rules of grammar, while others, like the infamous E.E. Cummings, deliberately break them. Surely, the idea of breaking the rules is attractive; however, it is advantageous for new poets to first master the rules before thinking about playing around with or breaking them.Punctuation rules in poetry is not just relevant for aspiring poets, but also for English majors, and even readers. Knowing the rules of punctuation is key to better understanding and analysis of poetryand better critical analysis papers!Punctuation marks and their usesFull stop / PeriodA full stop or a period is used at the end of the sentence. It indicates the end of a thought or statement.CommaCommas are used for various purposes:To indicate a pauseTo add a phrase or clause about the same subjectWhen using more than one adjectiveTo separate items on a listQuestion markQuestion marks are used to indicate that the sentence asks a question.Exclamation poin tAn exclamation point indicates strong feelings, be it anger, glee, or fear.Semi-colonSemi-colons are used for the following:To join two connected sentencesTo separate more detailed lists (in combination with commas)ColonColons are usually used to introduce a list, and less commonly, to introduce an explanation or definition of something.Quotation marksQuotation or speech marks are used simply to mark someone elses speech.EllipsisEllipses are used to signal that a part of the sentence was left out, usually because it is irrelevant to the text.ApostropheAn apostrophe is used to form the possessive form, which indicates ownership. In poetry, it is also used to indicate omitted letters.HyphenHyphens are used to link words together.Em dashThe em dash indicates a break in thought, to emphasize or explain something.ParenthesisA parenthesis is used to insert a point that is not part of the sentence. This is used to avoid breaking the flow of the sentence. See E.E. Cummings use parenthesis in his poetry.Punctuation in poetryPoetry is a form that places equal emphasis on form and meaning. Form is not just a vessel through which the reader discerns the meaning of a poem. Often, the meaning also interacts with and affects the form. To achieve this, poets use punctuation marks to manipulate meaning and perceptionit affects the readers pace, understanding, and eye movement. Punctuation is key to poets endeavors to explore and stretch the limits of language in their works. Here is how punctuation has been used in poetry:Organizes thoughts and ideasMaintains coherenceSignals pauses, or when and where to breatheThe placement of punctuation marks also determines the types of verses:End-stopped line when punctuation appears at the end of the lineFirst having read the book of myths,Enjambment where there is no punctuation at the end of the line; usually, the thought continues to the next lineI put onthe body-armorof black rubberthe absurd flippersthe grave and awkward mask.Cae sura when a punctuation mark appears within the lineAnd I am here, the mermaid whose dark hairThese lines are from Adrienne Richs Diving into the Wreck:Here is another example of a poem: April 30, 1945.Breaking the rulesOscar Wilde once said that a poet can survive anything but a misprint. Poets take extra care when writing poems. Every line break, every punctuation, and word is chosen with great attention. Everything they use in their poems is nothing but creative tools or techniques, even punctuation. So, whenever a poet breaks any convention in grammar, it is always for a good reason.Thus, for anyone thinking of breaking the rules in their poetry, it is imperative to first know the ins and outs of the grammatical rules. It is always better to know what you are breaking so that you can use it as a creative techniquea deliberate choicerather than as a mistake.Custom writing service for aspiring poetsIf all these sound gibberish to you right now, dont worry. All these rules (and ru le-breaking) takes time getting used to. If you are truly intent on becoming a poet, continue reading works of famous poets, as well as more tips from . Remember: writing a poem takes more than talent. It requires skill and dedication to get the perfect combination of words, punctuation, and line breaks. There are things that someone with an eye for detail and an ear for rhythm can guide you with. On the other hand, if you are an aspiring poet who needs to write a poetry analysis.