Masterclass: poetry (a one-term intensive workshop)

What is the course about?

Want to take your poetry to masterclass level? This course challenges students to explore new ways of working with language, form and structure in their poetry. Students will have the opportunity to workshop their poetry and develop new avenues in their verse, polishing their poems for performance and publication. The course will include tutor instruction and writing exercises alongside the workshop element. The course is suitable for students who have experience in an advanced workshop setting. Please note that full attendance and participation is expected at this advanced level.

Applications have now closed for the autumn term. If you apply now, we will keep your application in reserve and contact you if any spaces do become available before the start date. Alternatively, applications are now open for the masterclass beginning in January 2024.

What will we cover?

Topics will include but are not limited to:
- Techniques for manipulating classic and emerging forms.
- Using schools of poetry to inform your writing.
- Innovative uses of the poetic conceit.
- New approaches to rhyme and rhythm.
- Methods for revising your poetry.

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

- Redraft your poetry to a more advanced standard incorporating techniques explored in class and feedback received.
- Participate constructively in a workshop setting.
- Respond to and assess poetry with critical insight.

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

This is an advanced poetry writing course. Students will be expected to have written a number of poems to a publishable standard.

Writers are invited to submit details of their writing background and workshop experience, and up to 3 poems. Please use the assessment link on this page to apply. The deadline for applications is Sunday 10 September 2023.

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

The course will include a mix of tutor led discussion, workshop readings, critical feedback from the class on your own poems, tutor feedback and discussions of theory and structure and writing and redrafting exercises in and out of class time.

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. You will need to bring copies of your poems on request.

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

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

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.