Revising a Poem

Cut the line that is explaining. Strengthen the image that is doing the work.

18 min · Read → Apply → Prove

Step 1 · Read

Revision is the real writing

First drafts find the subject. Later drafts find the poem.

Cut the last line if it moralizes. Trust the image.
Cut the first line if it is throat-clearing (“I want to talk about…”).
Read aloud. Where you stumble, the line is usually too long or too clever.
Change one break. If the poem dies, the break was load-bearing. If it improves, you found a better tempo.
Ask: what is this poem’s one job? Everything that does not serve that job can go.

Step 2 · Apply

A short exercise to turn what you learned into skill.

Paste a short draft (at least a few sentences or lines). Revise it. Name one cut and one strengthening move.

The revised text must differ from the draft.

Step 3 · Prove

Pass with 70% or higher to complete this lesson.