The Influence of Poetry on My Compositional Style
In the midst of writing my Creative Thesis at Princeton, I've found solace and growth in an unexpected place - poetry. Poetry has become more than just a form of creative expression for me; it has become a tool for discipline, reflection, and personal development.
Taking a poetry class has not only benefited my academic writing but has also enriched my personal growth. Poetry cultivates a deep awareness of language, encourages imaginative thinking, and fosters emotional insight, all of which have significantly improved the quality of my writing and my understanding of the world.
In the realm of academic writing, poetry classes have helped me look at language more closely and flexibly. I've learned to use words with precision and inventiveness, practicing a creative approach to tone, rhythm, and meaning that has made my essays and academic papers more engaging. Poetry also opens up a creative space, allowing for novel connections and expressions beyond strict analytical modes, thereby enhancing critical thinking and originality.
On a personal level, poetry has been therapeutic, especially when writing about personal experiences. It offers an expressive outlet for complex feelings and ideas that might otherwise feel "unsayable," aiding emotional processing and personal insight. Writing poetry promotes mindfulness and self-reflection, fostering heightened awareness of one's surroundings, emotions, and subconscious.
Participating in poetry communities can also support connection and belonging, while developing confidence as a creative individual. I've found that learning about the varying moods and images evoked by my writing has been insightful in becoming a more objective, distant reader of my own work.
Regularly writing poetry has also given me a chance to de-stress and reflect. I've learned to pay more attention to language, rethinking my wordiness in my academic writing to make it more concise and impactful. The obscurity of poetry and its reliance on individual interpretation is reassuring, as it allows for a personal and unique interpretation of the world.
I recommend taking a poetry class during your time at Princeton. CWR courses, for instance, are application-based with a deadline several weeks before course enrollment. They provide an excellent opportunity to delve deeper into the world of poetry and rediscover your enthusiasm for this beautiful art form.
This article is part of the "The Writing Process" section, featuring an interview with Edric Huang '18.
[1] "The Benefits of Poetry for Personal and Academic Development." (2021). Accessed 10 May 2023. [link]
[2] "The Impact of Poetry on Creative Writing Skills." (2022). Accessed 10 May 2023. [link]
[3] "The Therapeutic Effects of Writing Poetry." (2020). Accessed 10 May 2023. [link]
My senior thesis, rooted in academic writing, has been fortified with the added influence of poetry classes, enriching my prose with a fresh perspective on language and expression. This unconventional interest has spilled over into my lifestyle, including an exploration into sustainable-living, as I've come to appreciate the interconnectedness of worlds, such as home-and-garden and poetry.
