How to Format a Poem

Co-authored by Alicia Cook

Last Updated: December 8, 2022 References

When you're formatting a poem, you're usually making it ready for publication. You may be a bit nervous about sending your poetry out, which is normal. However, formatting shouldn't be something you worry about, as long as you follow a few steps. Add the text to the word processing document, and format the page itself so you have the correct font and margins before sending the poem in. If you're placing the poem in the text of an email, use Notepad to strip it of its word processing formatting so it doesn't look messy in the email.

Example Formatted Poem

Poem Formatted for Publication

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Adding the Text to a Word Processing Document

1
Read the publication's guidelines for formatting information. Most publications have preferred formatting. Make sure you read the submissions page to find out how they want you to format your poem before continuing.^{[1]
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- For instance, some publications prefer blind submissions, meaning you won't put your name on the document itself. Others want your information on every page.
- Find the button marked "Submit" or "Submissions" on the publication's home page. You might see "For Authors" instead.
2
Place your name and contact information at the top. In the upper left-hand corner of the page, type your full name, followed by your mailing address, phone number, e-mail address, and website. Put each piece of information on a separate line with the address in standard format.^{[2]
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Research source} Use left justification for the address. Highlight the text, and pick the left justification button at the top. Put this information at the top of every new poem, before the poem itself starts.
- Do not put this information in a header.
- Format your heading like this:
  Jane Poet
  123 Writing Avenue
  Penandink, TX 73313
  123-456-7890
  JanePoet@thisismyemail.com
  www.janepoet.com
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3
Add the number of lines in the upper right-hand corner. Count the lines in your poem, and add that to the top like this: "28 lines." When submitting more than one poem, add the number of lines for each poem at the top of the poem's first page.
- The poem lines should be parallel with your name across the page. Do not put this information in the header.
4
Put the title in the center of the page. Skip a couple of lines between your contact info and the title. Highlight the title, and center it on the page with the center justification button. Place the title in all caps. Do not use quotation marks or italicize the font.^{[3]
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5
Create a new heading for the second page of a long poem. Put your name on the first line. The second line should have the name of the poem, the page number, and either the phrase "begin new stanza" or "continue stanza." That tells the reader you're starting a new stanza or you're continuing one from the previous page. Skip a line, and begin the poem. You can shorten the poem title to one word.^{[4]
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- Your heading should look this way:
  Jane Poet
  Poem Title, page 2, continue stanza
  
  Begin the text of your poem here.
6
Justify and indent the text of your poem. Skip a couple of lines between the title and your poem. Indent your poem so it is about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) further into the page than your heading (your name and address).^{[5]
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- Highlight the text of the poem, and use the tiny triangles in the ruler at the top to indent all of the text at once. Click on the bottom of the triangle where the tiny rectangle is so that both triangles move at once. Move it over 0.5 inches (1.3 cm). You can use this option in word processing software such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
- If your poem is a shaped poem with different spacing for indentions, indent for each line by highlighting it individually and using the triangle at the top to move the line over.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Formatting the Page and the Lines

1
Choose 1-inch (2.5-cm) margins and a 12-point font. Typically, publications want wide margins so that the text is easier to read. You should also choose a standard font that doesn't distract from the poem. Courier is a good choice, and standard for some publications.
- To change the margins, look for "Margins" tab under "Page Layout." You can also adjust margins by clicking on the tiny triangles at the edges of the page that are set on rulers. Move them to 1 inch (2.5 cm).
- Change the font under the "Home" tab in Microsoft Word using the drop-down menus.
2
Use single spacing except between stanzas. Most publications prefer poems to be single-spaced, meaning you don't leave an extra line between each line of text. However, you should leave an extra line between stanzas to show where one ends and the next one begins.^{[6]
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- To skip a line between stanzas, hit return twice instead of once.
- If your word processor automatically adds a space between paragraphs, change that setting because it will treat each line like a paragraph. Highlight the text and then right-click on it. Click on "Paragraph," and check the box "Don't add space between paragraphs of the same style."
3
Separate poems so you have one per page. Every poem should have its own page so that it gets the attention it deserves. To make the formatting easier, use a page break at the end of each poem, which will keep them separated.^{[7]
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- Page breaks are usually located under "Layout" and "Breaks." Click on the page where you want the break, then click "Page" under "Breaks."
- If your poem is longer than a page, continue the poem onto the next page, adding the second page header.
4
Use hanging indention for lines that are too long. If a line runs over the width of the page, continue it onto the next line. However, indent it to show it is a continued line. You can simply hit the "tab" button to move it over.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Formatting a Poem for Email

1
Copy the text of the poem in your word processing software. Open the poem in your word processing software. Highlight the text you want to copy, and right-click on it to find the copy button.
- Some editors prefer you to copy and paste your poem into an email. Unfortunately, sometimes the formatting from your word processing can create a messy poem. This process helps clean it up.
2
Paste the poem into Notepad. Open Notepad, which comes with most PCs and Macs. Click in the open document, and right-click. Click on "Paste" to copy the poem into Notepad.^{[9]
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- This process strips the poem of its word processing formatting, making it more suitable for email.
- You can also click the paragraph button that looks like a backwards "P" at the top of your word processing software. This button shows all the formatting applied to your document, which you can then erase.
- As another option, try using an online site that strips formatting.
3
Adjust the poem by adding spaces as needed. Use the space bar to insert spaces in your poem. Tab over when you need to indent a line. You're essentially formatting the poem by hand. Keep going until the poem looks the way you want.^{[10]
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4
Paste the poem into your email. Copy the poem from Notepad. Open a new email, and paste the poem into the email. Make sure it still looks correct before sending it.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you structure a poem?

Alicia Cook
Professional Writer
Alicia Cook is a Professional Writer based in Newark, New Jersey. With over 12 years of experience, Alicia specializes in poetry and uses her platform to advocate for families affected by addiction and to fight for breaking the stigma against addiction and mental illness. She holds a BA in English and Journalism from Georgian Court University and an MBA from Saint Peter’s University. Alicia is a bestselling poet with Andrews McMeel Publishing and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets including the NY Post, CNN, USA Today, the HuffPost, the LA Times, American Songwriter Magazine, and Bustle. She was named by Teen Vogue as one of the 10 social media poets to know and her poetry mixtape, “Stuff I’ve Been Feeling Lately” was a finalist in the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards.

Alicia Cook

Professional Writer

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

There's no black and white format to follow when you're writing a poem. You could do standard metered and rhymed poetry, you could do a haiku, you can do free form or free verse poetry—it's really up to you as the creator.
Question

Does each line start with a capital letter, even if it is a continuation of the sentence from a prior line?

Community Answer

The line does not always have to start with a capital letter. If it is a continuation of the sentence from the prior line, it is the poet's choice whether to capitalize it or not.
Question

What size font should the title be?

Community Answer

The title should be the same size font as the rest of the poem, which is 12-point.