Chant poems are usually short witty chants that can be cited with musical intonation. They are catchy, repetitious calls that can inspire stands of screaming fans to their feet, yet are easy enough to be remembered by children reading early learning books. Although they are easy to write, it is relatively difficult to create chant poems that are good enough to be remembered and recalled by others. However keeping just a few key points in mind, anyone can write a chant than can be screamed or sung by millions.
Define your subject. Chant poems are designed to be called out by large groups of people, so the most important thing to remember when beginning to write a chant poem is to recognize that your subject is relatable. The questions you might want to ask yourself are: do people already know what my subject is, is this subject memorable, would a lot of people agree with or be entertained by my portrayal of my subject?
Research your subject thoroughly both academically and on a first-hand basis. Even if you are writing a simple poem that most people can relate to, it is best to have all of your materials together before you begin to write.
Find words that rhyme. Rhyme is an integral part of chant poems and gives you a chance to explain your subject in witty and entertaining ways. If you have trouble finding words that rhyme, many good research materials online such as rhyme dictionaries can prove useful. Rhyme can also be used hand-in-hand with alliteration to achieve its desired effect. However, be careful when choosing the words for your poem because if your diction is too complex your poem may be misinterpreted.
Think of sounds closely related to your subject and represent them in your poem. They help make the the poem more memorable as well as fun. These sounds don't necessarily need to be accurate as much as they should be easy to remember and recreate.
Pay close attention to the syllabic construction of the words you choose to use and strategically place them to maximize this effect. Chant poems are usually recited with musical intonation, so meter in your poem should always be considered. All the other elements in your poem should follow some constant rhythmic beat. Iambic rhythms or stressed syllables immediately followed by unstressed ones are generally considered to be the boldest and most common meter patterns.
Tip
Writing poetry is different for every person, and these are only suggestions. Researching and familiarization with different forms of poetry will make establish your own style of writing much easier.
References
Writer Bio
While in college, Dyce worked with his school newspaper and several small film and writing competitions. In the spring of 2009, he graduated from Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Although he aspires to write professionally, he remains clueless on how to go about such a task.
Related Articles
