However, here are three broad principles that are generally applicable to many forms of formal poetry:
1. Meter and Rhyme: Formal poetry often uses specific patterns of meter and rhyme to create a musical effect. This could involve using iambic pentameter (five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables per line), sonnets with ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme schemes, or other specific structures.
2. Structure: Formal poetry often follows a set form, such as a sonnet, haiku, villanelle, or ode. These forms have specific rules about the number of lines, stanzas, and even the content of each line.
3. Elevated Language: Formal poetry often uses elevated, formal language, avoiding slang and colloquialisms. It may also use figurative language such as metaphors, similes, and imagery to create a more poetic effect.
It's important to remember that these are guidelines, not strict rules. Many poets have experimented with formal poetry by bending or breaking these rules. The most important thing is to understand the conventions of the form you are working with and to use them creatively to create something meaningful and beautiful.