Autobiography into poetry

What is the course about?

Do you want to adapt your life writing into poems of witness and expression? Using writing prompts for both prose memoir and poetry, along with examples of modern poems, this course will show you how to translate memories - of migration or falling in love, of work or bereavement - into contemporary poetry. You’ll write poetry with soul and share your first forays from autobiographical prose into poetry with others at the same stage.

What will we cover?

Topics we will cover include: finding ways to voice the heart of an experience, to shape feelings and to preserve memories and your reflections in poetry; judging when to use first, second or third person; finding a free verse style or poetic form that fits each poem's content; getting the right tone; listening to the pace or music of a poem; and decisions for editing.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

You will learn to translate autobiographical writing, whether in note or essay form, into poetry and to make the transition from writing only in prose. You will also be reading memoir extracts and modern poems, discussing and practising writing your own poetry and learning to redraft.

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

This course is for all who have a reasonable grasp of written English.

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

You will receive peer and tutor feedback in the workshop.

All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.

City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.

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

Please bring three short pieces of autobiographical writing, a maximum of one page each.

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

CityLit offers a range of courses in both poetry, autobiography and creative non-fiction. Browse the writing department section of the website to see what courses are coming up.

All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Bluesky.