walking the tightrope: how to incorporate poetry into your prose

Within writing and the literary world, the line between poetry and prose is typically a hard divide, separated by their individual structure and aesthetic qualities.

Poetry, by definition, is recognized by its distinct styles and rhythms, broken into lines that take up little space on a page. Prose, on the other hand, is quite the opposite.

Although prose writing is a wider umbrella term that encompasses essays, fiction, short stories, novels, nonfiction and other forms of literary work, the distinctive factor still remains within the structure of these works that separates their prose from poetry.

Writing in prose typically means following standard conventions of grammatical structure, using the paragraphical format and ordinary language throughout the piece. This stands in stark contrast to the fanciful stanzas and measured meters that frequent the lines of poetry.

So, where do these two genres of literature overlap? And, if so desired, how does one implement a more poetic style into their prose writing?

  If we step outside of the technicalities, when does a piece start to sound more poetic, not by definition, but by feeling?

We’re often told to follow the conventions, to avoid making our fiction writing sound superfluous or “floofy,” but that doesn’t mean we have to completely abandon the poetic aesthetics.

Yes, structure is the backbone to our writing, but what about language?  If we step outside of the technicalities, when does a piece start to sound more poetic, not by definition, but by feeling?

What stylistic differences can be implemented within one’s writing to emulate a poem-like quality within their prose? When do the prose that we write transform into something that simply reflects poetic tendencies, while still remaining rooted in the sentence to sentence structure of a short story or a novella or book?

Taking advantage of sound devices is one of many wonderful ways to incorporate different layers into prose writing.

Within poetry, the sound of the language used is frequently relied upon, creating a pleasing (or displeasing) image for the reader.

Taking advantage of sound devices is one of many wonderful ways to incorporate different layers into prose writing. This can include (but of course is not limited to) devices such as alliteration, assonance, consonance, and cacophony.

Sometimes, these are devices we may even use accidentally. Have you ever written a particularly impactive line, and wondered why the rest of your writing doesn’t sound quite as concise, effective, or poignant? In these moments, try to take a step back and deconstruct what you’ve written.

What makes one line stand out from the rest of the piece? Did you do something by accident? Can you do it again? Analyzing your writing and finding your own rhythm is a wonderful way to find the things that stand out to you, and will hopefully stand out to your readers as well.

Poe’s writing frequently took on a more poetic quality, whether it be through his use of rhythm, sound, or language.

Edgar Allan Poe was a nineteenth century American author well known for his poems and short stories. His writing often consisted of expressive language, inflicting images of grief, insanity, love, death, and nature to his audience.

His most popular works centered around the gothic horror genre, and he is widely considered to be a central figure in Romanticism within the United States. Poe’s writing frequently took on a more poetic quality, whether it be through his use of rhythm, sound, or language.

Stories such as The Cask of the Amontillado and The Tell Tale Heart are only two of many excellent examples of Poe’s memorable writing, and his strategic use of language that brings forth the more poetic notes within his works.

Balance is key.

However, it is also important to be wary of excessive writing that takes away from the piece and makes the narrative sound congested, flowery, or utterly ridiculous. Balance is key.

Try by beginning to  add small poetic techniques here and there within your prose. Scatter them throughout a piece, experiment with rhythm, try creating a sound with your language, combine devices to try and create something more expressive, make your writing more potent.

Decide if it even makes sense for you to incorporate poetic techniques in your piece to begin with. Where do you want to exaggerate your work? Make it more dull?

There is no right or wrong answer, technique, or narrative voice. What’s important is excavating your work, mining for the words and polishing them until they shine.

Alaina Villoria is a summer 2022 intern.