A vetted resource for young poets — last reviewed May 2026. Prize amounts, deadlines, and eligibility windows shift year to year, so confirm the current cycle on each program's official site before…
Writing Tips
Techniques, forms, and advice to sharpen your craft.
Losing a pet can be extremely painful. Having to do things like figuring out the details of how to bury your pet doesn’t help. Pets can make us feel unconditionally loved and appreciated. Sometimes,…
A lot of people believe writing is a solitary act, but having a community is important to the writing and editing process. Other readers and writers help develop work and move it forward, and just…
As long as people have written, there have been movements informing their stylistic choices. These movements usually reflect global events like wars, changes of social structure, or shifts in power.…
Music is central to our culture — it is present everywhere from advertising to education. With many unique genres and artists, every person is able to find some type of music that speaks to them.…
Nature is one of poetry’s oldest subjects. It is ever present and beautiful. It can serve as a metaphor for a multitude of events or feelings. The environment a poet lives in can define their poetry…
In the age of self-publishing and social media, you only have to look as far as your Instagram page to find inspiring writers with fresh perspectives. Contemporary writers keep poetry alive by using…
While poetry gives the space to celebrate feelings of joy or being in love, it also helps process pain. For this reason, poetry is often used as a great coping mechanism. Many poems feature themes…
For many writers and aspiring writers, New York City is ubiquitous. It has long been one of the artistic centers of not only the United States, but the world; and very nearly every literary movement…
Receiving feedback, editorial review, and constructive criticism on your poetry is almost as important a step in the writing process as putting pen to paper. If you're someone who's interested in…
Many writers like to seek solitude when they're working on a poem or a story — not only is it often easier to write when we're free of distractions, it also can feel preferable to keep your creative…
"Claudia Rankine's formally inventive poems investigate many kinds of boundaries: the unsettled territory between poetry and prose, between the word and the visual image, between what it's like to be…
Poetry is not dead! According to the NEA, poetry readership reached a fifteen year high in 2017. And young readers are leading the charge. Readership more than doubled for the 18-24 age group. Let's…
Family relationships have long provided inspiration and emotional subject-matter for poets and writers. Motherhood, and the relationship between mother and child, is a topic that has been explored by…
What is the Poetry Genome? So, what is a Poetry Genome, and how on earth does it help us teach new poetry techniques to teens? Our Poetry Genome is a tool that uses Machine Learning to generate a…
Instagram poets, or "instapoets" as they are sometimes called, have been making big waves in the world of contemporary poetry. Such poets are known for posting full or partial pieces of their writing…
The best artists are those who successfully merge word and sound to create a unique expression of the human soul, whether that be with lyrics, the strum of a guitar, or a beat on a drum. And few have…
As it in inevitable for us all, death is a universal experience that affects every single person. Dealing with such intense pain can be hard to manage, and to write about the death of a loved one or…
If you've visited our poetry terms page before, then you know that a simile is a figure of speech using "like" or "as" to compare one thing to another thing of a different kind . Although different…
Reading poetry aloud goes hand-in-hand with writing it. But for many of us, reading our work out loud is an intimidating part of the creative process — just because the words come easily on paper…
Good news: You already are! Here at Power Poetry we believe that everyone has the ability to write and have their voices be heard — you just gotta find out how to start unlocking your true potential.…
It's one of the oldest holidays in the world — starting all the way back with the famously passionate Romans in 496 AD, when the Pope set aside February 14th for St. Valentine and the early spring…
Power Poetry is the world's first and largest poetry community for teens — there are tens of thousands of poems in our community. We've decided to make a list of the top literary devices used in…
Writing about unhealthy relationships can be tough. Sometimes we don't realize that the relationships we've kept—romantic or otherwise—are harmful or toxic, until we take a second to step back and…
Everybody has characteristics about themselves that they feel insecure about (physical and/or emotional) and often find them difficult to talk about or admit to. Writing poetry, whether in your…
Can you remember the first time you were asked to write a poem for class? Chances are it was pretty early on in your educational career. We're introduced to poetry through nursery rhymes and phonetic…
Sometimes one of the most exciting and challenging things you can do as a writer is embody someone or something else in order to tell a story (take on a different persona). Persona poetry is one of…
Public speaking can be intimidating, especially if you've never shared your personal work with an audience or at a particular venue. Whether it's your first time attending an open mic or your first…
Feminism can be defined as an advocacy for achieving an all-encompassing equality amongst genders. In an ideal world, one worth striving for through poetry and social action, everyone would be a…
"Language is social art" -Willard Van Orman Quine Poetry lives at the intersection of literature and art — this is most clearly represented in ekphrastic poetry, which is poetry inspired by art. Much…
The modern millennial might say that emails are the new letters—that letters are an old-fashioned and outdated form of communication—but there's something respectable about letters that makes them a…
Nina Simone once said, “You cannot be an artist and not speak on the times.” When writing rap—which some say stands for rhythm and poetry—it’s important to remember that this genre has a tradition of…
We're gonna take a wild guess and say that the first thing you do when you sit down to write a poem is stare at a blank page for a while, and eventually write down a word. Duh. But sometimes thinking…
“What I try to do is write. I may write for two weeks ‘the cat sat on the mat, that is that, not a rat.’ And it might be just the most boring and awful stuff. But I try. When I’m writing, I write.…
The term “public speaking” may be defined as relaying information to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners. People may choose…
If you're thinking about writing and performing a slam poem—but you're feeling shy—here are a few reasons to find your courage and give it a go! Toying with the idea of trying slam poetry? Slam…
If you’ve seen spoken word poetry videos floating around Facebook and YouTube—but weren’t sure what they were all about—check out this intro to slam poetry. Find out what makes slam poems unique and…
Relationships with family members can affect us in a profound way. Check out these five poems about the love and challenges families face, which may inspire you to write poems about your own parents,…
Show the special person in your life what they truly mean to you by sending them the perfect love poem or by writing your own . Poetry is a language of love and a deeply romantic way to communicate…
Putting together your first poem isn’t as difficult as you might think. Just follow these easy steps! Whether you’re feeling inspired to write a poem—or you have to do it as school assignment—it can…
Need a few good reasons to write a poem? Putting words on paper can help you make sense of the world around you, express your deepest emotions, and give you a healthy way cope with whatever is on…
PowerPoetry.org is where literacy meets social action. Our content is produced by youth for youth. From Poetry Tip Guides to Social Action Guides , we are an engaging digital community where young…
Friends can share your interests, be your closest confidantes, and know you better than anyone else — that’s why poems that revolve around friendship can be especially deep and significant. Check out…
Take your poem from page to stage by competing in a poetry slam! Your poem has been written and your performance has been rehearsed: Now it's time to enter a poetry slam! Whether it's your first time…
Penning your own slam poetry isn't as difficult as it might seem. Follow these quick guidelines and you'll have a first draft in no time! Want to create a truly memorable or powerful slam poem? There…
The narrative poem, one of the oldest poetic forms in the world, could be the perfect way to tell a very modern story – yours. Narrative poems – which simply mean “story poems” – are among the oldest…
Share your work with the world (and win prizes!) by learning how to submit your best poems to poetry competitions. There are lots of great reasons to enter poetry contests. A contest gives you a goal…
Short poems can convey intimate moments with simple, specific, compelling words. They carry growing momentum from start to finish. A short poem differs from a long one in that poets may spend more…
Diction refers to the author’s choice of words and the order of the words within a poem. Words serve multiple purposes, given their presence and arrangement. Words are a writer’s primary tool: they…
Rock Your Block’s Action Guide for youth job seekers Finding a job isn't easy--and finding a job you love can be even more difficult. But don't worry--writing poetry about the job seeking process can…
So what is a Haiku? If you have a good ear for music, you’ve got a head start in writing haiku. But even if you’re not a music fan, don’t worry; it’s easy to pick up the rhythm of this ancient form…
Whether you’re still in school, are about to graduate or have already moved onto the next chapter in life, nearly everyone can relate to what it feels like to be inside a classroom. Check out these…
If you’ve suffered a great loss — like the death of someone close to you — reading poems about loss or writing poetry that reflects on this painful experience can actually help you heal and move…
Get inspired by the work of some of the best slam poets performing today! While you’re always welcome to read slam poems, ideally, this form of “spoken word poetry” is best appreciated when heard…
We’ve all been there. You walk out of a movie, finish a book, or turn off the TV and exclaim: “that was awful, I DEFINITELY could’ve done it better.” Whether you think that “the ending was terrible”…
Cultivating a positive and loving body image is essential to well-being and happiness. It takes a healthy mindset to reach self acceptance. Many feel pressured to obtain a certain social and/or…
What’s the first rule of writing poetry? That there are no rules — it’s all up to you! Of course there are different poetic forms and devices, and free verse poems are one of the many poetic styles;…
What do you think of when you hear the word spirituality ? Nature ? Religion ? Yoga ? There’s no one definition of spirituality, because it can differ for every person. Here are some spiritual poems…
Spoken word is written on a page but performed for an audience. It relies on a heavy use of rhythm, improvisation, rhymes, word play, and slang. Spoken Word is writing that is meant to be read out…
So what is a slam poem ? Slam poetry is a type of poetry competition where people read their poems without props, costumes, or music. After performing, they receive scores (0-10) from 5 randomly…
LGBTQ stands for: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. This acronym refers to a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity . There is a long history of LGBTQIA+ community-building and…
Editing your own poetry can be a scary endeavor. Editing may be difficult at first, but once practiced the journey of creating your best work is empowering. Read it at least twice . Read your poem…
Metaphors are a great tool to use if you want to liven up your poetry, and make people really think more deeply about what you write. Check out these poems that make great use of metaphor, and keep…
Bullying is a problem that affects people across the globe. Kids, teens, and even adults can be victims of bullying. Keep reading to find out how to identify the signs of bullying, help someone in…
Rap and poetry are actually the same thing. Rap is short for rhythm and poetry. As a poet, you’re already familiar with some elements of rap but not all of them. Rap is different because it’s…
The school-to-prison pipeline refers to a set of policies, practices and conditions that criminalize educational environments and treat youth of color as criminals rather than students . Critics…
Your family and friends are the people closest to you — the ones who love you no matter what and who always have your back. They influence your life every day, so why not write a poem in their honor:…
Is there a celebrity or other famous person who really gets on your nerves? Have you ever wished that you could tell someone what exactly it is that bugs you? Well, now you can join some of our other…
Onomatopoeia may look like gibberish, but this type of poem is fun and easy to write- and even more fun to read aloud. Trust us . Here are some tips to get you started writing an onomatopoeia poem:…
Teen pregnancy rates in the U.S. are on the decline . Teens are practicing safer sex and reproductive health care is more accessible than ever before--at least in some places (ahem, not Texas). But…
The DREAM Act was first introduced to the U.S. Congress in 2001. It has yet to become a law, but if it does it will provide a pathway to citizenship to approximately 1.8 million undocumented…
Even when words feel like they’re not enough to express your love, poetry can help. Equipped with legions of literary tools that move the soul, poetry can be an effective and touching way to show…
A limerick poem is a short, funny (goofy!) poem that’s quick and easy to write. Although limericks feel playful, this form of poetry comes with a lot of interesting history and writing techniques.…
PUBLISHERS/CONTESTS 5x5 http://www.5x5litmag.org/Bio.html We like reading. We hope you do too. We strive to find exceptional, undiscovered writing and artwork, package it into a neat little book and…
Power Poetry isn’t just about writing poems- it’s about creating a community with other (awesome) poets! Here are some tips for encouraging and inspiring other poets by doing what some of you do…
This type of poem comes from Italy, and translates to “third rhyme.” You might be familiar with poetry that is made up of four lines at a time, but a terza rima only has three lines grouped together…
An ode is a poem that is about one specific thing that you think is truly amazing and praiseworthy. This type of poem can be centered upon a person, an object, or something abstract like a feeling or…
Music is something that we are all exposed to and it touches each of us in different ways. We each have different types of music or musicians we enjoy, and for different reasons. The emotions that we…
We can’t remember every single thing we do in our lives, but there are certain moments that stand out to us that we remember forever. A good idea for a poem is to write about a specific memory that…
We all know that writing poetry is an amazing, creative way to express ourselves, but have you ever thought about what you can do with your poems after you have written them? There is so much…
An idyll is a short poem that creates a story and paints a picture of everyday life, while making things that at first seem simple much more important. In a world that always seems to be moving so…
A haiku is a type of poem which will allow you to practice focusing on specific numbers of lines and syllables in your poetry writing. Haiku poetry can be a fun challenge. Writing a haiku poem will…
You already use rhythm and rhyme when you write poetry. Learning how to write a sonnet can give you the chance to combine a traditional form of poetry with more modern themes and vocabulary to create…
Did you know that there are famous books (like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein ) that are based on dreams? The stories in our dreams are the ways we tell ourselves our true feelings and emotions, which…
We use our poetry to write our own life stories, and not all chapters in those stories are serious. Writing a comedic poem is an excellent way to brighten up someone’s day, and tell a funny story.…
Poetry itself is a type of art, but did you know that you can create poetry to look like art, too? By paying close attention to the way you write or type the actual words, you can create an image…
In French, the word “cinq” means the number five, which already hints at the writing technique of this poem. A cinquain poem is brief, but very fun to write, and even more fun to read, much like a…
A modern ballad is usually a song, one that is a combination of long, slow, heartfelt and sad. But when people talk about old-fashioned ballads, or ballads in poetry, they can mean an intricate poem…
Acrostic poetry is a fun and simple type of poetry which will allow you to experiment with different writing techniques and formatting as well as practicing honing in on one particular subject and…
Some people find their inspiration from looking to the future. Poetry can be a great way to begin focusing on your goals and making them reality — and of course, the creation of poetry itself can be…
If you are just starting out writing poetry, it might seem intimidating to write about really deep emotions right away. However, there is plenty of precedent to write about things that may seem more…
Writing a poem for the first time can seem super intimidating but it's really no big deal, trust us! If you stop putting pressure on yourself to be the best poet ever and instead focus on discovering…
Every one of us has a story that is completely our own by virtue of the fact that each of us is unique and has an ever expanding collection of experience that are particular to the lives we lead.…
Grab the Powerpoety.org logo and add it to your site or blog. We love that you want to help support us! Black Logo Copy and paste the code on your site. White Logo Copy and paste the code on your…
Did you know that one in five people will suffer from a mental health issue at some point during their lifetime? That means some of your friends and family--including you!--may be struggling with one…
In honor of a movement that changed the world for the better, Power Poetry invites you to slam on civil rights! We want to hear what YOU think about civil rights. And we can’t wait to see how you use…
Words are our most powerful weapons. Spoken word can be even more powerful than the written word, which is why slamming is an important part of poetry. What is a Poetry Slam? A poetry slam is a way…
You already know that written words can have a huge impact on your life and community — but here at Power Poetry, we want you to take your words off of the page and onto the screen. Many of you use…
Organizations like Sustain US and Solar One are working with young people to change the way we think about and treat the environment--and you can too! Watch Imani Sofia's video on the environment and…
Did you know that the third leading cause of death for teens is suicide ? If you want to get the word out, your poetry can bring attention to the issue--and maybe save a life. Get the word out .…
Election day is right around the corner, and just like poetry, (if you are a registered voter), voting for who you would like to be President of the United States is a great way to have your voice…
Homelessness in the U.S. is on the rise and this complex issue impacts people from of all ages and backgrounds. Read below to learn more about homelessness and how you can respond to it with your…
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome . HIV/AIDS is a pandemic that only affects human beings: since its outbreak, an estimated 60 million…
Write and share poems to promote safe driving. Sometimes people forget how dangerous driving is Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for 36% of all deaths…
An estimated 11-20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers find that about 30% of Vietnam Veterans and 10% of Gulf War Veterans also struggle…
We all know that poetry changes human lives--but what about the lives of our furry best friends? Keep reading to find out how you can use your words to save an animal’s life. From Abuse and…