For me, the songwriters I look up to and take inspiration from are:Paul Simon, The Red Hot Chili Peppers (collectively) and now Bob Dylan.I believe that now I am coming to a point where the lyrics I write can possibly be compared to these people, or atleast don't sound a million miles away from something they may write.This is basically the basic points of how I begin, structure, and generally make a song come together...

Usually, whenever I write a song, it will start with a line that enters my head, and I build the song around it, which is fine if you're in the right frame of mind.NEVER try and force a song out, it wont work, the rhymes will be poor and it will be way below anything you would usually write in standard.It can be hard to stop yourself writing something but don't if you're not completely happy.Also, in the same vein, don't get worried if a song is taking an age to write, it's ok, just go with it and be happy with what you write.

Depending on the mood and rhythm of the song, the song structure will always be different.Don't just go; verse, chorus, verse, chorus etc.Some songs work better starting with a verse and building up to the chorus, for instance Molly's Chambers by the Kings of Leon.Other songs work better if the first words that are heard are the chorus, like Otherside by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.This isn't utterly dependant on the atmosphere of the song, but it may make a big difference.I would say that generally ballads work better if they start with the chorus, and harder songs should start on the first verse and build to the chorus.Also, to add effect I usually have to verses following each other with no chorus inbetween, it stops the song being monotonous.

Each verse has a role to play in the song, the chorus is a summary to the content of the song, and the first verse is almost an introduction.So it is important to never write the first verse, first, always write it after most of the song is written, so you know what direction the song is going in.Also alot of bands and artists use a alternate chorus for the ending, to conclude the song (I call it Chorus II)However, this should be along the same lines as the original chorus.

Some people find rhyming hard, but for songs it is important.The vast, vast majority of songs rhyme.Again, depending on the mood, the rhyme scheme is selected, whether it's couplets, or alternate lines rhyming, or something more adventurous, it is all to do with the rhythm of the song.The only thing I would say is couplets are less common in songs, it can make it seem amateur.

Rhyming can be hard, but never force it if you can't think of something automatically, don't change the order of a line to suit it, perhaps just changing the word you have to rhyme with is the easier solution.Another tip is that lines don't have to rhyme perfectly, aslong as it fits and sounds good, for instance...
"Drifting in a haze of purple
Penetrate the protective circle"
They were just example lines, but you will notice that while purple and circle don't actually rhyme, they fit well.

The rest of writing is down to you, everyone will have their own style, so I can hardly give examples of good idea's or actual techniques.This will just hopefully help you start writing and ease with any problems you may have.So go and write something that will make me cry!