ENGL 283, beginning verse writing MW 130-250 LOW 219
Course description
Whether you have read and written lots of poetry before or whether poetry is a new adventure for you, this class will introduce you to many new poems and will give you ways to learn and practice skills of craft. It’s O.K. if you don’t have much previous experience with poetry, but if
you’re going to be in this class, you will need to be a serious student. Please be prepared to read and write a lot!
Throughout the quarter, you will gain familiarity with a variety of poetic techniques, practice using your associative imagination, learn about traditional and contemporary poetic forms, and develop your voice through observation, self-reflection, imitation, and experimentation.
You will receive feedback from your instructor on your poems throughout the quarter. In the second half of the course, you will have the opportunity to participate in a poetry workshop and practice giving and receiving feedback as a member of community of writers.
In this class:
· You will read poems from a variety of traditions, aesthetics, forms, and perspectives.
· You will practice using the skills and terms from the course on assignments and in workshop.
· You will attend two literary events of your choice and write a one-page response for each of them.
· You will visit Open Books and find a collection of poetry by a poet who resonates with you.
· You will practice giving and receiving peer feedback on your writing in a workshop setting.
Course Texts
· Mary Oliver – A Poetry Handbook – required
· Purchase a book from Open Books during our class trip - required
· All other readings will be given as handouts in class