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This intensive poetry masterclass is open by selective application to a maximum of ten students. You will receive inspiring tutor instruction and rigorous constructive feedback on your poems as you prepare them for publication and performance.
Before booking on this course, please register or log in to your account to complete a short online assessment. We need you to do this to check that this course is the right level for you. Why do I need an advice session
Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
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 level of study.
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. All applicants will be contacted with the outcome of their application, after the deadline has passed.
Application deadlines: For the course beginning 23 September 2025 (HW126), the application deadline is Sunday 24 August 2025.
For the course beginning 13 January 2026 (HW313), the application deadline is Sunday 14 December 2025.
For the course beginning 21 April 2026 (HW122), the application deadline is Saturday 28 March 2026.
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.
Ellen Cranitch is a prize-winning poet. Her first collection The Immortalist was shortlisted for the Seamus Heaney Award for Best First Collection 2018. Ellen’s poetry is published by Bloodaxe, Templar and Carcanet Press. She has taught at The University of St Andrews, City University and UCL and lives in London where she’s a reviewer for Poetry Review. Recent teaching appointments include Associate Lecturer at Bath Spa University and Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Hull where she ran the poetry modules.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/masterclass-poetry-a-one-term-intensive-workshop174689Masterclass: poetry (a one-term intensive workshop)https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/m/a/masterclass_poetry_ellen.jpg399399GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Writing/Poetry/Courses/vm/Writing Courses/Poetry Writing/Courses/vm/Writing Courses/Courses/Writing/Creative writing masterclasses/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Poetry/Courses/Courses to boost your career/Humanities & Languages2285159020362018134691358113602135081228511771205165320181358113490This intensive poetry masterclass is open by selective application to a maximum of ten students. You will receive inspiring tutor instruction and rigorous constructive feedback on your poems as you prepare them for publication and performance. <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">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. <br />
<br />
This is a live online course. You will need:<br />
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.<br />
- 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.<br />
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.<br />
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.</div>452532019Masterclass: poetry (a one-term intensive workshop)399399https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/m/a/masterclass_poetry_ellen_2.jpgInStockEveningTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-04-21T00:00:00+00:00AdvancedApr 2026WritingHW122399399Masterclass: poetry (a one-term intensive workshop)399399399Ellen Cranitchmasterclass-poetry-a-one-term-intensive-workshop/hw122-2526This intensive poetry masterclass is open by selective application to a maximum of ten students. You will receive inspiring tutor instruction and rigorous constructive feedback on your poems as you prepare them for publication and performance.0000-Available|2026-04-21 00:00:00Want 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 level of study.This intensive poetry masterclass is open by selective application to a maximum of ten students. You will receive inspiring tutor instruction and rigorous constructive feedback on your poems as you prepare them for publication and performance.Topics will include but are not limited to:<br/>- Techniques for manipulating classic and emerging forms.<br/>- Using schools of poetry to inform your writing.<br/>- Innovative uses of the poetic conceit.<br/>- New approaches to rhyme and rhythm.<br/>- Methods for revising your poetry.- Redraft your poetry to a more advanced standard incorporating techniques explored in class and feedback received.<br/>- Participate constructively in a workshop setting.<br/>- Respond to and assess poetry with critical insight.<p>This is an advanced poetry writing course. Students will be expected to have written a number of poems to a publishable standard.<br/><br/>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. All applicants will be contacted with the outcome of their application, after the deadline has passed.<br/><br/><strong>Application deadlines:</strong><br/>For the course beginning 23 September 2025 (HW126), the application deadline is Sunday 24 August 2025.<br/><br/>For the course beginning 13 January 2026 (HW313), the application deadline is Sunday 14 December 2025.</p><p>For the course beginning 21 April 2026 (HW122), the application deadline is Saturday 28 March 2026.</p>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.<br/><br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines. <br />
<br />
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 <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Please bring a notebook and pen or pencil with you to class. You will need to bring copies of your poems on request.City Lit has a range of poetry and writing courses on offer.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.virtual1188451Masterclass: poetry (a one-term intensive workshop)399399https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/m/a/masterclass_poetry_ellen_3.jpgInStockEveningTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2025-09-23T00:00:00+00:00AdvancedSep 2025WritingHW126399399Masterclass: poetry (a one-term intensive workshop)399399399Ellen Cranitchmasterclass-poetry-a-one-term-intensive-workshop/hw126-2526This intensive poetry masterclass is open by selective application to a maximum of ten students. You will receive inspiring tutor instruction and rigorous constructive feedback on your poems as you prepare them for publication and performance.0000-Available|2025-09-23 00:00:00Want 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 level of study.This intensive poetry masterclass is open by selective application to a maximum of ten students. You will receive inspiring tutor instruction and rigorous constructive feedback on your poems as you prepare them for publication and performance.Topics will include but are not limited to:<br/>- Techniques for manipulating classic and emerging forms.<br/>- Using schools of poetry to inform your writing.<br/>- Innovative uses of the poetic conceit.<br/>- New approaches to rhyme and rhythm.<br/>- Methods for revising your poetry.- Redraft your poetry to a more advanced standard incorporating techniques explored in class and feedback received.<br/>- Participate constructively in a workshop setting.<br/>- Respond to and assess poetry with critical insight.<p>This is an advanced poetry writing course. Students will be expected to have written a number of poems to a publishable standard.<br/><br/>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. All applicants will be contacted with the outcome of their application, after the deadline has passed.<br/><br/><strong>Application deadlines:</strong><br/>For the course beginning 23 September 2025 (HW126), the application deadline is Sunday 24 August 2025.<br/><br/>For the course beginning 13 January 2026 (HW313), the application deadline is Sunday 14 December 2025.</p><p>For the course beginning 21 April 2026 (HW122), the application deadline is Saturday 28 March 2026.</p>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.<br/><br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines. <br />
<br />
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 <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Please bring a notebook and pen or pencil with you to class. You will need to bring copies of your poems on request.City Lit has a range of poetry and writing courses on offer.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.virtual1188535Masterclass: poetry (a one-term intensive workshop)399399https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/m/a/masterclass_poetry_ellen_1.jpgInStockEveningTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-01-13T00:00:00+00:00AdvancedJan 2026WritingHW313399399Masterclass: poetry (a one-term intensive workshop)399399399Ellen Cranitchmasterclass-poetry-a-one-term-intensive-workshop/hw313-2526This intensive poetry masterclass is open by selective application to a maximum of ten students. You will receive inspiring tutor instruction and rigorous constructive feedback on your poems as you prepare them for publication and performance.0000-Available|2026-01-13 00:00:00Want 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 level of study.This intensive poetry masterclass is open by selective application to a maximum of ten students. You will receive inspiring tutor instruction and rigorous constructive feedback on your poems as you prepare them for publication and performance.Topics will include but are not limited to:<br/>- Techniques for manipulating classic and emerging forms.<br/>- Using schools of poetry to inform your writing.<br/>- Innovative uses of the poetic conceit.<br/>- New approaches to rhyme and rhythm.<br/>- Methods for revising your poetry.- Redraft your poetry to a more advanced standard incorporating techniques explored in class and feedback received.<br/>- Participate constructively in a workshop setting.<br/>- Respond to and assess poetry with critical insight.<p>This is an advanced poetry writing course. Students will be expected to have written a number of poems to a publishable standard.<br/><br/>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. All applicants will be contacted with the outcome of their application, after the deadline has passed.<br/><br/><strong>Application deadlines:</strong><br/>For the course beginning 23 September 2025 (HW126), the application deadline is Sunday 24 August 2025.<br/><br/>For the course beginning 13 January 2026 (HW313), the application deadline is Sunday 14 December 2025.</p><p>For the course beginning 21 April 2026 (HW122), the application deadline is Saturday 28 March 2026.</p>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.<br/><br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines. <br />
<br />
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 <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Please bring a notebook and pen or pencil with you to class. You will need to bring copies of your poems on request.City Lit has a range of poetry and writing courses on offer.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.virtual399399399HW122,HW126,HW313ASSXTue23/09/25 - 02/12/2517:30 - 19:3017:3019:3011 sessions (over 11 weeks)1111 weeks or longerWeekdayKSKeeley StreetEllen CranitchAdvancedAvailable courses2026-04-21T00:00:00+00:00,2025-09-23T00:00:00+00:00,2026-01-13T00:00:00+00:00EveningApr 2026,Sep 2025,Jan 2026Writing399399Masterclass: poetry (a one-term intensive workshop)masterclass-poetry-a-one-term-intensive-workshop/hw122-2526,masterclass-poetry-a-one-term-intensive-workshop/hw126-2526,masterclass-poetry-a-one-term-intensive-workshop/hw313-2526This intensive poetry masterclass is open by selective application to a maximum of ten students. You will receive inspiring tutor instruction and rigorous constructive feedback on your poems as you prepare them for publication and performance.0000-Available|2025-09-23 00:00:00Want 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 level of study.This intensive poetry masterclass is open by selective application to a maximum of ten students. You will receive inspiring tutor instruction and rigorous constructive feedback on your poems as you prepare them for publication and performance.Topics will include but are not limited to:<br/>- Techniques for manipulating classic and emerging forms.<br/>- Using schools of poetry to inform your writing.<br/>- Innovative uses of the poetic conceit.<br/>- New approaches to rhyme and rhythm.<br/>- Methods for revising your poetry.- Redraft your poetry to a more advanced standard incorporating techniques explored in class and feedback received.<br/>- Participate constructively in a workshop setting.<br/>- Respond to and assess poetry with critical insight.<p>This is an advanced poetry writing course. Students will be expected to have written a number of poems to a publishable standard.<br/><br/>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. All applicants will be contacted with the outcome of their application, after the deadline has passed.<br/><br/><strong>Application deadlines:</strong><br/>For the course beginning 23 September 2025 (HW126), the application deadline is Sunday 24 August 2025.<br/><br/>For the course beginning 13 January 2026 (HW313), the application deadline is Sunday 14 December 2025.</p><p>For the course beginning 21 April 2026 (HW122), the application deadline is Saturday 28 March 2026.</p>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.<br/><br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines. <br />
<br />
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 <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Please bring a notebook and pen or pencil with you to class. You will need to bring copies of your poems on request.City Lit has a range of poetry and writing courses on offer.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.configurable
15901205Poetryhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/history-culture-and-writing/writing/poetry1/2/285/1177/1205/1590/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Writing/Poetry
