Elements of Successful Poetry

As conceived by the students in English 100P
Summer 2011

Each element of a successful poem has a purpose
A successful poem has integrity; that is, it coheres
A successful poem contains imagery, and offers a purposeful balance or abstract and concrete
A successful poem rewards multiple interpretations
A successful poem “gives you the chills”; that is, it resonates emotionally in a reader
A successful poem contains focus
A successful poem contains apt and appropriately specific descriptions
A successful poem contains precise diction
A successful poem conveys proper understanding of language (and perhaps its history)
A successful poem rewards close reading
A successful poem contains a lurking surprise (for the author as well as the reader)

Thanks to all the students who contributed to this list.