Do you think using a rhyming dictionary is cheating (for poetry)?

Question

I feel guilty using rhyming dictionaries when I write poetry. But sometimes I honestly can't think of a rhyme. Do you think it's cheating? I just feel bad about it.

Answer 1

Nah. Using a rhyming dictionary does two awesome things:

1- Helps you increase your vocabulary.
2- Keeps you from making boring rhymes.

The longer you use it, the less you'll need it.

If you're really uncomfortable using the rhyming dictionary, try playing with other forms that use fewer rhymes (or are unrhymed, if you want). There's absolutely no reason not to experiment with different forms and styles. You might even learn that you write awesome ghazals or something. But you don't need anyone's permission to write poetry a certain way, unless it's for a specific assignment.

Answer 2

There's absolutely nothing wrong with using a rhyming dictionary. Sometimes you don't need one, though. You can find a lot of the rhymes you need just by working your way through the alphabet. For example, somebody recently posted a question asking for rhymes for "amp." One way to find those rhymes would be to start with "bamp" and work your way to "zamp," picking out the real words along the way. "Camp," "damp," and "lamp," are the first three I come up with using that system. See how many more you can find. Don't neglect words that start with combinations of letters, such as "champ."

If you do use a rhyming dictionary, don't let anybody make you feel guilty. It's a useful tool.

Answer 3

I haven't ever used one but I would think if it gives you an idea or an inspiration, what could possibly be the matter with that? I think being exposed to words is what makes you a better poet, especially reading prose and poetry of course, but still, it can't be bad to have exposure to words that rhyme with one another. It's just a book of words and you pick one. It's not writing your poem for you.

Answer 4

No, it isn't cheating. You can use any tool you would like. The trick with using rhyme though is still making sure that it's the exact word you want--forced rhyme will kill a poem.

Answer 5

No, poetry does not have to rhyme, but even I admit it sounds better. Poetry is about the essence and meaning of the feeling you are trying to express. Dont feel guilty!

Answer 6

no
its poerty
its whatever u want
u cant cheat in poetry at all
its freedom of writing and there is no rules sooo its fine to use a rhyming dictionary
:]

Answer 7

Its somewhat cheating and somewhat trying to do somthing and geting the best out of it right.So keep on going and try to rym on your own and practice everyday so u can get better at it and not being able to use the ryming dictionary.

Answer 8

Not at all... I avoid the practice
because I prefer that my words
come out of my own experience.

I fiddle around writing long lists of
of rhyming words ...
I may make a list of rhymes to see
what can come next in a poem in
progress.

I dont see much use for someone
else's lists.

Answer 9

Yes. It is cheating and it cheapens your poem.

Rhyme is kinda like that other word that is spelled like it...Thyme. It only acts as seasoning to a poem. Sometimes a poem doesn't want to be rhymed, even if you're writing a poem that uses a specific rhyme scheme.

Open yourself to using off rhymes, eye rhymes, or just go with the possibility that a line doesn't have to rhyme. In fact, if it's the right word, it'll surprise us as well as delight us because it DOESN'T rhyme the way we exxpected it to.

Answer 10

No,not @ all!
I need 1.I never thought about 1.But i want 2 know what their called and were do u get them?I'm giving u a star!