by Eden Gardner

Created on: April 26, 2009   Last Updated: April 27, 2009

I hardly find the debate "Is it Better to Write a Poem Based on Experience or Based on Opinion?" worthy of debate. The answer is simple; a poem can only be written from opinion, which may or may not, be based upon an experience.

According to one definition in the Oxford English Dictionary, an experience is "the actual observation of facts or events, considered as a source of knowledge." (3) In retrospect, the OED describes an opinion as "what one thinks of a person or thing; an estimate of character, quality or value."(5:c)

An opinion, is a belief based on an individual's perceptions of the environment and the experiences that they encounter. The experience is merely the observation or motivation that develops the opinion, but the opinion is what writes the poem.

It could also be implied that experience and opinion can co-exist; as they provide us with new knowledge that we can share. There is a symbiotic relationship between the two; they both help each other survive. If we didn't feel any certain way about an experience, it would mean nothing; hence, rendering our opinion obsolete. And we most likely would not be inclined to write poetry that wasn't based on an opinion. Although they can operate individually, in a symbiotic relationship, the experience can enhance the quality of a poem by providing the reader with knowledge and a new perspective; which, in turn, communicates the experience to the readers, while inviting them to conform to your point of view. However, the opinion is usually still necessary to prompt the reader to a specific point of view.

For example; if you were to write to me after reading my article, explaining that I have positively or negatively influenced your opinion, as a result, I would be experiencing your opinion. I could also experience any consequences that may arise from your opinion; hence, altering your opinion and mine.

Most poetry (unless written on assignment) is usually the result of opinion...and as you can see, there are already 99 written on this debate. When these people wrote for this debate, they had to vote. And if they voted, they have an opinion. Are they experienced writers or readers of poetry? You'll find out about their experience, when they give you their opinion; hence, the reason for this non-debate.
Another reason I believe (in my opinion) that poetry can be written without experience, is because sometimes, we can simply assume the experience through the opinion of others' poetry. Although we often communicate our opinions based on experience, experience is not a fundamental requirement in communicating an opinion. In fact, I finished a poem this morning for a professor at Penn State University, written from the perspective of a man who had undergone a cochlear implant surgery. I was describing what he felt, as he lost his hearing and entered a world of loneliness and isolation. I succeeded in providing my readers with a believable poem (as though it were my own experience), as a result of experiencing the authors' pain through his opinion. No experience necessary on my behalf. An opinion, in most cases, is all the experience you'll ever need. It's that simple. And that, is simply my opinion.

Learn more about this author, Eden Gardner.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.