Q&A for How to Write a Tanka Poem

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Does a tanka always have to be sad or bittersweet? Can it be happy too?

Louisa

Community Answer

The point of a tanka is to convey deep, personal emotion. Even if it is not common, that emotion can of course be joy, elation, love, or contentedness.

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Question

I don't understand the syllables in tanka. Is there an easier way to explain it?

Donagan

Top Answerer

No, it doesn't get any easier than Part 2, Step 1 above.

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Question

Is the end of each line ABABB?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Tanka poems traditionally do not rhyme.

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Question

Does a tanka have to be about nature?

Aiden Chester

Community Answer

Not necessarily. Interestingly enough, in seventh-century Japan, tankas used to be written as messages sent between lovers via personal messengers. Contemporary tanka poetry, still highly popular in Japan, draws heavily on the personal life of its writers. However, (key tip) tankas nearly always have a pivotal image or phrase on their third line.

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Question

Can I write a tanka on why homework is ultra boring?

Aiden Chester

Community Answer

Absolutely! (If you get the structure right, of course.) In fact, a poet's personal life is a fairly common theme in most contemporary tankas—even if that includes one's ultra boring homework.

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Question

Is a tanka just an extended haiku, or is there some major difference?

Donagan

Top Answerer

There are two differences. One is syllabic structure. The other is that haiku tends to examine the external world, while tanka usually deals with feelings (which may be stimulated by the external world).

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