Contemporary poetry can be of value in the study of composition as a model of careful, concise, and effective use of language. Students can observe and, hopefully, imitate the poet's precise use of (1) vocabulary, (2) supporting materials, (3) introductions and conclusions, (4) transitional words and phrases, and (5) a variety of types of diction and of styles. The comparison of poetry and composition may lead students to believe that creative writing and composition are not necessarily separate pursuits. The works of several poets and a few anthologies are recommended for use in the classroom, and two poems and one short piece of fiction are briefly analyzed as examples. (WB)