Ways into poetry: intensive

What is the course about?

This supportive and engaging short course will help you to find your feet when it comes to writing poetry. Practical writing exercises will teach you to experiment with a variety of styles and techniques, form and content will be explored through group discussion, and you will learn from examination and analysis of the work of published poets.

What will we cover?

- Practical writing excercises will teach you to write in a variety of styles and forms.
- Issues related to craft, including rhythm, tone and structure.
- How to analyse published poets so their work can inform yours.
- How to give and receive constructive feedback.

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

- Create strong images when writing a poem
- Apply lineation and rhyme in your poetry
- Identify metaphor and simile, and use these devices in your own work
- Use ekphrasis as a way into writing a poem
- Write using at least two specific forms, such as the sonnet and haiku
- Edit your poems
- Read and write with an increased understanding of the key elements of a poem.

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

This is an introductory course and complete beginners are welcome. A good level of spoken and written English is needed.

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

Tutor-led discussion, pair and small-group discussion, participating in writing exercises in-class, workshop readings, tutor feedback and class discussion. There will be an optional homework exercise set each week.

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 a notebook and pen or pencil with you to class.

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

City Lit has a range of poetry and creative writing courses on offer. After completing 'Ways into poetry', you may be interested in our intermediate and advanced classes, including 'Developing your poetry' and our 'Advanced poetry workshop'.

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 Twitter.