Line Break Poetry Practice
Name
Unlike rhyming poetry, there really is no rule for line break. There is
only this bit of advice: Words that belong together, that somehow make
sense together, should be placed together on a line. That might mean six
words or a dozen words or only one word. That might mean a complete
sentence or a phrase.
While poets have many reasons for breaking lines the way they do,
there are a few reasons that seem most prominent:


It is logical to break after a sentence or phrase.


Line breaks can be used in place of punctuation.

You might want to emphasize a word or phrase by putting it at the
end of a line.
A line break in an unexpected place can help create surprise or
humor or irony in a poem.
Line breaks may be part of the shape of a poem.
Example of Prose to Line Break Poem
Prose
(Remember to write about the type of person you want to become and the
kind of life you hope to lead.)
My future, what will it be? I am curious about it, excited,
and also scared. I know I want to be happy and share my life with
someone wonderful. Hopefully I will finish college and be able to
give back to others, teaching children. I want my own children
too – boys perhaps? I will try to always be kind for that will
guide me toward making good friends and thoughtful decisions.
LINE BREAK POEM
My future.
What will it be?
I am curious,
excited, and scared.
I want to be happy,
sharing my life with someone
wonderful.
Finishing college
giving back
teaching
children.
Boys?
My own to have.
Perhaps two to
love.
Kindness
leads me to good friends and
thoughtful decisions.
-Mrs. Deichman
Prose
The Big Field
Mr. Gammons mows the big field with his tractor, then
rakes and bundles hay for the barn. George and I grab our bats,
gloves, and balls and race across the field like major leaguers in
spring training. We hit long flies to each other all afternoon,
never lose a ball in the stubble, and don’t stop until Mother calls
us for supper.
Line Break Poem
The Big Field
Mr. Gammons mows the big field
with his tractor,
then rakes and bundles
hay for the barn.
George and I
grab our bats,
gloves, and balls
and race across the field
like major leaguers
in spring training.
We hit long flies
to each other
all afternoon,
never lose a ball
in the stubble,
and don’t stop
until Mother calls
us for supper.
-Donald Graves
Example of Prose to Line Break Poem
Prose
(Remember to write about the type of person you want to become and the
kind of life you hope to lead.)
My future, what will it be like? I am curious about it, excited, and
also scared. I know I want to be happy and share my life with someone
wonderful. Hopefully I will finish college and be able to give back to others,
teaching children. I want my own children too – boys perhaps? I will try to
always be kind for that will guide me toward making good friends and
thoughtful decisions.
LINE BREAK POEM
My future.
What will it be like?
I am curious,
excited, and scared.
I want to be happy,
sharing my life with someone
wonderful.
Finishing college
giving back
teaching
children.
Boys?
My own to have.
Perhaps two to
love.
Kindness
leads me to good friends and
thoughtful decisions.
-Mrs. Deichman