How To Write Like Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman was an influential poet and writer during the 19th century, and his work remains to this day as a cornerstone of American literature. If you’re looking to emulate the distinctive style and technique of a great poet like Whitman, it can be a daunting task. However, with the right approach and dedication, anyone can learn to write like the great poet himself.
First, it’s important to understand the core principles of Whitman’s writing. He valued free verse and was able to use it to express complex emotions and ideas in his poetry. Whitman’s free verse works were composed in a manner that allowed him to explore the human experience objectively and expressively. Furthermore, Whitman used strong imagery and intense allusions throughout his work, allowing him to create vivid and evocative scenes for readers to engage with.
A core element of Whitman’s writing is his use of enjambment, a poetic device where clauses or phrases are disembodied from sentences to form a sense of progress. Enjambment allows the reader to connect the dots between Whitman’s writing, while also keeping them engaged. He often explores themes of American identity, nature, and politics through this device, and it remains a hallmark of modern writing by American authors.
Another fundamental aspect of Whitman’s writing is his use of polysemy, or the use of multiple meanings within a phrase or sentence. This allows for deeper layers of interpretation and allows readers to explore the nuances of his work. By allowing for multiple meanings, Whitman deepens his works, creating an emotive, expressive style that resonates with readers.
The key to writing like Whitman is to develop a style unique to yourself. While it’s important to learn to emulate his techniques, it’s also important to develop a personal style and voice – something which Whitman was particularly noted for. Take inspiration from his works, and explore your own ideas and perspectives on a multitude of topics. Develop your writing skills over time, and write for yourself first. Whitman wrote about his own life and observations, and by developing your own personal style you can create works as engaging as his.
Developing a Sense of Empathy
One of Whitman’s greatest strengths is his ability to invoke empathy within his readers. By exploring the human experience from the perspective of both himself, and the wider society, Whitman was able to create works that spoke to readers on a deeper level. His empathy and understanding for the wider world allowed him to create works that resonated with a broad audience.
When writing like Whitman, it’s important to develop an acute sense of empathy. While it may be difficult to explore life and experiences through someone else’s eyes, it’s essential when attempting to write like Whitman. If you can develop an ability to understand others, even those different to yourself, it will help when creating works that reflect the human condition on a wider level.
By immersing yourself in the lives and experiences of others, you can learn to increase your sensitivity and empathy. This is essential when writing like Whitman, as it will allow you to explore a variety of perspectives and feelings. To truly emulate Whitman’s works, it is necessary to acquire a deep understanding of the struggles, joys, and realities of the human experience.
Incorporating Humour
Whitman was known for incorporating subtle humour and irony into his works, which often enhanced the meaning and impact of his poems. This can be seen throughout his works, from clever jabs to more satirical pieces. Whitman used humour to explore serious issues, often exposing the hypocrisy of society through his wit.
When writing like Whitman, it’s helpful to learn how to weave humour into your works. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as through satire and irony. Try to be humorous without being gratuitous or mocking – as was seen in Whitman’s works. By attempting to expose the flaws in society without resorting to mockery, you can create meaningful works that will engage and challenge readers.
Humour is a great way to engage readers, especially in poetic works. Learn how to use subtle humour to explore a range of perspectives and topics. This is an integral part of writing like Whitman, and it can have a profound effect on the impact of your works.
Portraying Nature
It comes as no surprise that Whitman was also known for his explorations into the realm of nature. Many of his works portray the natural world, sometimes in individualistic terms, and sometimes in collective terms. Nature is explored throughout his works in both poetic and philosophical terms, allowing readers to engage with his views of the world.
When writing like Whitman, it can be helpful to explore nature as a subject. Consider the natural world around you, and how it will be interpreted by readers. Take inspiration from Whitman’s works, such as ‘I Sing the Body Electric’, and explore nature as both a physical and metaphysical phenomenon. Try to develop works that express a reverence for the natural world, and that give readers a unique perspective on the nature around us.
Moreover, while writing, take inspiration from the world around you. Whitman famously took his cues from the natural world, and it can be helpful to do the same. Immerse yourself in the environment around you and explore your own personal relationship with nature. Through this, you can learn to truly explore the depths of nature, as Whitman himself did.
Avoiding Flowery Language
It’s easy to be seduced by flowery language, particularly when attempting to emulate Whitman’s writing. However, Whitman’s works were far from flowery. Instead, the poet often made use of vocabulary that was both accessible and concise. This allowed for his works to be both powerful and direct, which is something that is key to writing like Whitman.
Avoid using needlessly complex words and excessive metaphor, as this will detract from the power of your work. Instead, strive for a clear and concise style of writing, like that of Whitman. Throughout his works, it can be seen how powerful and engaging his writing is, without sacrificing emotion or meaning in his works.
By striving for a clear, concise style, you can create works that are impactful and accessible to all. Furthermore, it will help to add a level of authenticity and sincerity to your work, like that seen in Whitman’s works.
Exploring Language and Metaphor
Finally, when writing like Whitman it is necessary to explore language and metaphor. Take the time to really experiment with different phrases, words and structures. Whitman was able to create powerful metaphors and allusions that conveyed a wealth of different meanings. By exploring language and metaphor, you can create unique and evocative works of your own.
To really explore language and metaphor, it’s necessary to engage with different media sources. Read as much as you can, across a range of genres and topics. Additionally, explore different cultures and the languages used within them. By doing this, you can learn to craft words and phrases that convey meaning on a deeper level, like those seen in Whitman’s works.
Learning to explore language and metaphor is paramount to creating works similar to Whitman’s. Take the time to broaden your horizons, and to experience different cultures and languages. Learning to craft words and phrases that can communicate complex and subtle messages is essential when attempting to write like Whitman.
Finding Your Voice
At the heart of Whitman’s works is his unique voice and perspective. It is essential to explore and find your own writing voice before attempting to write like Whitman. Once you’ve developed your writing style, it becomes easier to write like Whitman. You’ll be able to use the techniques discussed in this article with ease, and you’ll be able to craft works that will resonate with readers.
As such, it’s important to write for yourself first. Emulate the techniques and styles of Whitman, but ensure you remain true to your own personal style. Take the time to explore and experiment with words and phrases, and take inspiration from the world around you. It may take time and dedication, but it’ll be worth it when you create works that are powerful and profound.
Learning from Whitman
When learning to write like Walt Whitman, there is a great deal that can be taken from the great poet. His unique style and voice, combined with his empathy and understanding of the wider world, allowed him to create works that are still admired today. It’s important to understand the core principles of Whitman’s writing, in order to truly capturing his essence in your own works.
By attempting to develop a sense of empathy, an understanding of humour, and an appreciation of nature, you can create works that are as evocative and meaningful as Whitman’s. Furthermore, by incorporating free verse and enjambment, and by exploring language and metaphor, you can create works that are both powerful and profound. Finally, by exploring your own personal style and developing a unique voice, you can create works that emulate Whitman in both style and substance.
