Capitalizing the first letter of each line?

[SaronaNalia]

What do you all think of capitalizing the first letter of every line of a poem? I have always done it, mostly because that was how I was taught to do it and now it just feels natural to me. However, I know many poets don't. I have been under the impression that it's a matter of personal preference, but I've seen a few critiques, here and elsewhere, that seem to say that capitalizing each line is the wrong thing to do. Is it?

[Sleepyhead]

I think it comes down to personal preference. I've seen some fine writers, past and present, capitalize the first letters.

I don't do it, but that's not to say I'll never do it. Generally, I like to use traditional grammar and punctuation in my sentences. That's a deliberate choice that allows me to sometimes deviate from the rules in order to add another layer of meaning to a passage. If a reader notices that I generally haven't capitalized first line letters (outside of the first words of sentences, of course) but that I have capitalized just one, s/he knows I'm saying something with that capitalization.

But that's just the way I like to work - and what a boring world it would be if we all handled language exactly the same way!

[kborsden]

Not quite wrong - just an outdated practice. As the previous poster says, it's more or less personal preference. However, it does give the immediate impression that the poem was written by a teenager (especially when paired with centralisation) - and it can disturb or disrupt the grammatical fluidity if not using correct punctuation to pace your poem.

I generally tend not critique poems that use line-caps (majusculation (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/majusculation); not an official term), because it bugs me and effects my opinion negatively in most cases. There are times when I can see past it though -- many contemporary publications state that they don't want subs with line-caps, and others will publish your poetry with them no matter how you sub...

hmm.

[B.D. Eyeslie]

Many poems depend on proper punctuation for meaning (triolets for example). I usually follow a period (full stop) with a capital letter to begin the next sentence and omit capitalization when it isn't the beginning of a sentence. But, like all rules, if breaking the rules of capitalization improves the piece, then do it boldly.

[Blarg]

For people who read contemporary poetry, capitalizing each line looks a bit weird, and that may slow down their read. For people straight from high school or college who have been fed a diet of older poetry and haven't read much poetry from their own time, it doesn't look awkward.

The thing is, not capitalizing each line doesn't look awkward to *either* type of reader. So it's probably best not to do it, making it easier for all readers to pay attention to your poem itself and not your stylistic choice.

[Wordcaster]

Thanks for posting this question. I was wondering myself.

[kborsden]

Here (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6822851#post6822851)

[Billytwice]

I generally tend not critique poems that use line-caps



Now that's what I call 'actual purpose' ;)

[kborsden]

Now that's what I call 'actual purpose' ;)

:D I meant in terms of poets I don't yet know. The main reason is that, as you'll see if you go through the threads in critique is that most poets who do use line-caps take umbrage to any form of criticism. I know that it's pretty much tarring everyone with the same brush -- but when you've had as much venom thrown your way as I have, you tend to make generalizations based on how much more you are(n't) prepared to receive. I wait off until someone else has critiqued first.

Also,

There are times when I can see past it though

and these would be times when the poem outshines, or that there is 'actual purpose'.

Not only that, but if you've read through the entire post on the purpose and point of line-caps, I think you might agree that they are in most cases incorrectly applied and therefore a valid point to critique, and that validity (because of general attitude) is more than often gimped.