How to structure a poem

How do poems work? How is a poem structured? We will uncover key elements of a poem, and will look at how movement, density and closure may be organised for the best result. For experienced poets.

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Key course information

Date
10/06/12

Day(s)
Sun

Duration
1 week

Time
10:30 - 16:30

Fees
Full fee: £47^NC

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HW227

Availability
Available
(status updated every 15 mins)

^NC: No concessionary fees available as there is no government funding for this course.

Enrol now

Call enrolments: 020 7831 7831

Still got questions?

humanities@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2652

Course outline

What is the course about?

How do poems work? What makes a poem a poem is not what says, but how it says it. A key factor in this is how it is structured.

What topics will we cover?

This course will look at the key elements of a poem and how can they be organised for the best result. Amongst other things, it will look at movement, density and closure. It will also look at some set structures and consider how these can be exploited or how they might suggest options for use in general.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- identify the key elements of a poem
- identify movement and be able to describe it
- identify density.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is a STAGE 2 poetry writing course. Students will be expected to have written a number of poems to a publishable standard. Some experience of writing poetry and attending poetry writing courses would be an advantage (details of poetry writing courses are available from the prospectus etc.).

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Tutor led discussion and presentation.

The Tutor
John Stammers is an award-winning poet and editor. His collection ‘Panoramic Lounge-bar’ (Picador) won the Forward Prize for Best First Collection. His second collection, ‘Stolen Love Behaviour’ (Picador, 2005), was Poetry Book Society Choice and shortlisted for the TS Eliot prize and Forward prizes. He has edited Magma poetry magazine. He is currently editing ‘The Picador Book of Love Poems’, and a selected Gerard Manley Hopkins for Faber and Faber. He has taught widely, including at Cambridge University where he was Judith E Wilson Fellow. He is editor of the academic journal British and Irish Contemporary Poetry.

City lit reserves the right to change course tutors or venues from those advertised in this outline. In line with our refund policy we are unable to grant a refund on the grounds of a change of tutor/venue.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Please bring a notebook and pen or pencil with you to class. Also bring some examples of your poems.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

The City Lit has a range of poetry and writing courses on offer.

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2652

humanities@citylit.ac.uk

Advice times:

During term-time Monday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30

Non term-time Monday 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30.

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.