One of the first decisions a poet must make is what person or voice to write his poem in. The first person “I” has many purposes. It can be used to tell people about yourself or about an experience that you had. The poem can be confess- ional like a diary that you may or may not want others to read.
Writing in the first person can also be therapeutic in nature. It may allow you to express feelings that you may not otherwise be able to express. You can also write in the first-person plural voice, the “WE” form.
You may write to express the thoughts and feelings of your fellow countrymen, of a downtrodden minority or of a group of your friends. Finally, even though you use the first-person voice, you can write in the identity of someone else. This is called using a PERSONA.
The next voice you may use is the “You” form. This is the language of dialogue. It is great for writing love poems and greeting cards. If you choose this form, it is good to have in mind the person or audience you are speaking to. Try to imagine their reaction when they read or hear your words.
The third voice is when you write about someone or something. It is good for describing things and for putting emotional distance between your subject and you. The third person voice is useful for writing historical novels or newspaper articles. Third person pronouns include: HE, HIM, SHE, HER, THEY, THEM, THEIR, AND IT.
Consider your voice after careful deliberation. Make sure that it conveys both the meaning and tone of what you are trying to say. If you are using a PERSONA, the first-person voice, try to imagine how that person would think, feel and speak. If you are writing in the “YOU” form, try to visualize the person you are writing to or about as you pen your words. And if you are writing in the third person voice, try to maintain an air of objectivity as if you were a newspaper reporter or television interviewer. In short, carefully choose whichever voice will best serve the needs of the poem, article or essay that you are writing.
