A Guide to Use Different Poetic Forms with Artificial Intelligence applications

1) Introduction

Creating poems through artificial intelligence (AI) applications in education offers an innovative opportunity to develop students' creativity, critical thinking, and familiarity with emerging technologies. Through these tools, students can explore different poetic styles and structures, while observing how AI uses language and patterns to compose verses. 

This contact not only enriches the understanding of literary form and techniques, but also encourages discussions about authorship, originality and the role of technology in the arts. Furthermore, when interacting with AI, students expand their digital literacy skills, essential in today's world. 

The combination of poetry and AI therefore not only expands creative possibilities, but also prepares young people for a future where the ethical and conscious use of technology will be increasingly important.

2) Sonnet Form

Characteristics of Sonnet form:

In Greek, there is no single, firmly established sonnet tradition like in Italian or English literature, yet many sonnets have indeed been written in Greek poetry (e.g., by poets of the Ionian School). The metrical patterns can vary in Greek, as modern Greek doesn’t have the same prosodic rules as English or Italian.

2.1) Lines

English:

1 stanza of 14 lines

or

3 stanzas of 4 lines more 1x2 lines

Portuguese:

2 stanzas of 4 lines 

plus

2 stanzas of 3 lines

Greek:

There is no strictly defined single form; poets often follow the Italian version (2 quatrains + 2 tercets) or the English version (3 quatrains + 1 couplet).

A total of 14 lines.

Lithuanian:

__

Romanian:

__

Hungarian:

Shakespearan

1 stanza of 14 lines

or

3 stanzas of 4 lines more 1x2 lines

Petrarcan:

2 stanzas of 4 lines 

plus

2 stanzas of 3 lines

2.2) Rhyme’s Scheme

English:

ABABCDCDEFEFGG [Shakespearean]

ABAB CDCD EFEF GG [each stanza has a topic and the last 2 have the conclusion] 

Portuguese:

ABBA ABBA CDC  DCD

Greek:

Following the Italian form: ABBA ABBA CDC DCD

Following the English form: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

Other variations also exist, depending on the poet and style.

Lithuanian:

__

Romanian:

__

Hungarian:

Shakespearean: ABABCDCDEFEFGG

ABAB CDCD EFEF GG [each stanza has a topic and the last 2 have the conclusion] 

Petrarcan: ABBA  ABBA CDC DCD (last 2x3 can alter) 

2.3) Metric Syllables

English:

Decasyllable

Portuguese

Decasyllable

Greek:

Often, there is an attempt to use the 15-syllable “political verse” (from folk songs) or the iambic decasyllable.

Lithuanian:

__

Romanian:

__

Hungarian:

_Classically 10 syllables per line, but sometimes 11 or 12 syllables_

3) Example of how to explore AI Tools to generate a Sonnet

Website Example: AI Poem Generator - Create a Poem Instantly

Prompt: “Generate a sonnet about Health with these options:

Tone: Inspirational

Form: Sonnet

Themes: Wellness

Length: Medium (10-30 lines)

Language Written In: English”

Approaches to check if a line matchs:

1. Probably ML models will match the same number of poetic syllables. Asking through a ML Model we have answers as this example:

Although in this case, the ML Model is aligned with the correct count done by the human, this does not mean that this will happen in all cases. Particularly when these models are working in other partner languages, where the models are less trained. In these cases, the user could take different options:

2. Using ML models as ChatGPT, Copilot, GeminiAI, etc. and trying with prompts generate another line until obtain what was supposed.

   Prompt Example for the last line: “I need a sentence with the  same meaning as “For in its glow, we flourish evermore” finalized with tone “more”  and having 10 poetic syllables.

Test with other ML model if matches:

Combining questions throughout ML models it’s very probably user can find what he is searching. However, the Critical analysis about content generated by ML models it’s always need to validate all information generated.

3. Trying to generate another poem with the same tool or using another, if the result has many incorrections. To do this will be important to include in the prompt / prompts more information (detail, use options, etc, according to the Interface/ML model used).
4. Change directly incorrections towards what you pretend without the Machine’s help. It’s very important to understand the Machine Learning process to improve the capacity to decide when the generated content will be not better than you have in a specific stage of the activity.

4) Acrostic Form

Characteristics of Sonnet form:

4.1) Definition

An acrostic is a poem in which the first (or another specified) letter of each line, read vertically, forms a word or phrase.

In Greek, acrostics appear mostly in wordplay or fun poems and less in classical forms. Nevertheless, they can be creatively employed with other poetic forms (e.g., a sonnet).

Main Rule:

• The first letter of each line (usually) forms the “hidden message” of the poem.

4.2) Example of how to explore AI Tools to work with Acrostic Poetry

1. Defining the Acrostic Phrase: e.g., “Health-SONETO” (if you want 10–14 lines, ensure the phrase has 10–14 letters).
2. Selecting the Poetic Form: You can combine acrostics with Petrarchan or Shakespearean sonnets or any other form.
3. Generating Lines with AI: Provide clear instructions (e.g., theme, style, line count) so that the AI can create lines suited for adaptation.
4. Editing & Fine-Tuning: Ensure each line starts with the correct letter.
5. Check meter, rhyme (if desired), and meaning.

4.3) Ode Form

An ode is a high-style poetic form addressed to a person, idea, or concept. In Greek tradition, the ode dates back to antiquity (e.g., Pindaric odes).

4.4) Characteristics of the Greek Ode

1. Themes: Praise, glorification, or deep reflection.
2. Structure:
   • Ancient distinction: strophe, antistrophe, epode.
   • Modern Greek odes: often more flexible structure, with lyrical and patriotic themes (e.g., Dionysios Solomos).
3. Style:
   • Festive, expressive, often featuring strong metaphors and symbols.
4. Rhythm:
   • May employ iambic or anapestic meter, or even free forms in modern Greek poetry.

4.5) Free Form

In Greek letters, free form became established mainly in the 20th century (e.g., poets such as George Seferis, Odysseas Elytis, Nikos Engonopoulos, etc.). The emphasis is on internal rhythm and poetic imagery, without a strict meter or rhyme scheme.

4.6) Villain Form

The “villain” form (known in English as the “villanelle”) is not particularly popular in Greek literature. It is of French origin, consisting of 19 lines with a very specific pattern of repetition and rhyme. While some Greek poets have experimented with it, it is not commonly encountered in Greek letters.

5) Closing Remarks

Education in poetry and the use of AI tools serve as a bridge between tradition and technology. Students can discover new modes of expression and gain insights into the dynamics of language while cultivating critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Using AI does not replace the human factor in poetry creation but serves as an additional tool that enriches imagination and experimentation. With respect for aesthetics and literary conventions, modern technology can act as an ally, offering a framework for new poetic approaches.

Tip: Always remember that the final responsibility for poetic creation remains with the human. AI can suggest ideas, lines, or alternatives, but the poet—the creator—is the one who decides what remains in the final piece.