Techne in poetic theory refers to the Greek concept of art as skilled making or craft—encompassing both technical mastery and creative intelligence—where poetry is understood not as spontaneous inspiration but as deliberate, rule-informed practice that shapes material (language) toward purposeful ends; for poetry students, techne emphasizes the importance of form, revision, and tradition as integral to artistic expression, countering Romantic myths of pure genius and affirming that poetic power arises from the disciplined fusion of knowledge, technique, and imaginative vision.

Greek term for craft, skill, technique—especially artistic. Emphasizes learned craft vs. pure inspiration. Balance techne with feeling. Study craft books, practice formal techniques.