Writing poetry: getting started

What is the course about?

This fun workshop is an introductory course designed to support learners in exploring the form, language and structure of poetry.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

- Popular poetic forms: acrostic, concrete and free verse.
- Structuring your poem through rhyme and rhythm.
- Finding poetic stimuli.
- Alternative poetic traditions.

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

- Develop your knowledge of poetic form and tradition.
- Develop your understanding of poetic structure.
- Write first draft poetry from the provided information and exercises.

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

This is an introductory course. Students will need to be able to write in fluent English.

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

A mix of tutor instruction, pair work and interactive writing exercises and discussion of published texts.

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?

No extra costs - bring pen and paper.

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

Visit Writing > Poetry on our website to browse our full range of beginners', intermediate and advanced poetry writing classes.

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.