How to Write an Ode

Created by Pindar out of the traditional forms of Greek tragedy, the ode is generally defined as a rhymed poem of irregular meter that praises its subject. The English ode consists of an undefined number of 10-line stanzas.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Dictionaries
• Thesauri
• Computers
• Word-processing Software

1. Consider the subject matter that you wish to write about, and remember that beauty can be found in the least expected places. Was watching "American Beauty" the first time you thought a plastic bag caught in the wind was beautiful?

2. Write a 10-line stanza of iambic verse using an ababcdecde rhyme scheme.

3. Proceed to write as many 10-line stanzas as desired. Use the same rhyme scheme pattern in the following stanzas, but with different rhymes. If you do this correctly, the "a" of a stanza will rhyme only with the "a" of that same stanza.

4. Revise as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• To write a Pindaric ode (often referred to as the "regular" form of the ode), write three 10-line stanzas. The three parts of the Pindaric ode consist of the strophe and the antistrophe ("the turn" and "the counterturn"), which are identical in form, followed by the epode ("the stand"), which is different.

• The Horatian ode does not have a true pattern but tends to be more meditative in nature.

• Don't let peers who claim to be poets discourage you from using poetic forms. When you hear a poet say how much he or she dislikes writing in form, remember that a great artist sees the opportunities in every canvas, regardless of shape or size. A poor artist sees only the limitations.