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Are you brand new to writing poetry? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners in the craft? This gentle short-course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a poet.
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.
Poetry often comes from a very personal place and the process of writing and sharing it for the first time can seem daunting. This introductory short course enables students new to the genre to explore the core forms of poetry, the key language techniques you can use for effect and some structural basics which will help you convey your message to the reader.
What will we cover?
- Core poetic forms.
- Key approaches to structuring a poem.
- Key language techniques in poetry.
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
- Write using specific forms, such as the 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 course is for absolute beginners in the genre. Open to students who are trying poetry for the first time or who have never shared their work in a group setting before.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught through a mix of indivudal, pair and group work, tutor instruction, text analysis, in-class writing activities and supportive workshop. Between sessions homework may be set to aid students in developing a writing discipline.
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 pen and paper.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Once you've built your confidence on this introductory course, why not try Ways into poetry: an introduction or our term-long Ways into poetry course?
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.
Toby Campion is an award winning poet and playwright. Winner of the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award 2024 and shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem 2024, Toby is a former UK National Poetry Slam winner and World Poetry Slam finalist. His debut short collection, Through your blood, was Highly Commended in the Forward Prizes 2018 and his poems have been published widely, most recently in The Rialto, bath magg, And Other Poems, Aesthetica and The London Magazine. Toby is the founder of the National Poetry Collectives Showcase and the Director of UniSlam. He teaches the London-based queer creative writing group, verse, and has taught for organisations including Roundhouse, Financial Times, National Trust and The Poetry Society.
Andrew WealeSee moreSee less
Andrew Weale is a poet and author of five picture books, including Nora: The Girl Who Ate and Ate and Ate, and the Red House Award winning Spooky Spooky House. He also lectures on picture book writing at Winchester University as part of the Children’s Writing MA, and mentors writers for the highly successful Golden Egg Academy.
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/ways-into-poetry-a-gentle-pace174692Ways into poetry: a gentle pacehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/a/ways-into-poetry-gentle-hw153-1080_3.jpg159159GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Writing/Poetry/Courses/vm/Writing Courses/Poetry Writing/Courses/vm/Writing Courses/Courses/Short Courses/Courses/Short Courses/History, culture & writing/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Writing/'Ways into' courses/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Poetry228515902036201813411134171354513581136021228511771205165320181341113581Are you brand new to writing poetry? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners in the craft? This gentle short-course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a poet. <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">Poetry often comes from a very personal place and the process of writing and sharing it for the first time can seem very daunting. This introductory short course enables students new to the genre to explore the core forms of poetry, the key language techniques you can use for effect and some structural basics which will help you convey your message to the reader. <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>551188457Ways into poetry: a gentle pace159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/a/ways-into-poetry-gentle-hw153-1080_3_1.jpgInStockEveningMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2025-10-20T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceOct 2025WritingHW142159159Ways into poetry: a gentle pace15980159Toby Campionways-into-poetry-a-gentle-pace/hw142-2526Are you brand new to writing poetry? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners in the craft? This gentle short-course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a poet.0000-Available|2025-10-20 00:00:00Poetry often comes from a very personal place and the process of writing and sharing it for the first time can seem daunting. This introductory short course enables students new to the genre to explore the core forms of poetry, the key language techniques you can use for effect and some structural basics which will help you convey your message to the reader.Are you brand new to writing poetry? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners in the craft? This gentle short-course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a poet.- Core poetic forms.<br />
- Key approaches to structuring a poem.<br />
- Key language techniques in poetry.- Create strong images when writing a poem<br />
- Apply lineation and rhyme in your poetry<br />
- Identify metaphor and simile, and use these devices in your own work<br />
- Write using specific forms, such as the haiku<br />
- Edit your poems<br />
- Read and write with an increased understanding of the key elements of a poem.This course is for absolute beginners in the genre. Open to students who are trying poetry for the first time or who have never shared their work in a group setting before.You will be taught through a mix of indivudal, pair and group work, tutor instruction, text analysis, in-class writing activities and supportive workshop. Between sessions homework may be set to aid students in developing a writing discipline.<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 pen and paper.Once you've built your confidence on this introductory course, why not try Ways into poetry: an introduction or our term-long Ways into poetry course?<br />
<br />
All students are invited to join us at <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank">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" target="_blank">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" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href=" https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.virtual2694039Ways into poetry: a gentle pace159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/a/ways-into-poetry-gentle-hw153-1080_3_18.jpgInStockEveningThuOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-06-04T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceJun 2026WritingHW153159159Ways into poetry: a gentle pace15980159Andrew Wealeways-into-poetry-a-gentle-pace/hw153-2526Are you brand new to writing poetry? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners in the craft? This gentle short course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a poet.0000-Available|2026-06-04 00:00:00Poetry often comes from a very personal place and the process of writing and sharing it for the first time can seem daunting. This introductory short course enables students new to the genre to explore the core forms of poetry, the key language techniques you can use for effect and some structural basics which will help you convey your message to the reader.Are you brand new to writing poetry? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners in the craft? This gentle short course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a poet.- Core poetic forms.<br/>- Key approaches to structuring a poem.<br/>- Key language techniques in poetry.- Create strong images when writing a poem<br/>- Apply lineation and rhyme in your poetry<br/>- Identify metaphor and simile, and use these devices in your own work<br/>- Write using specific forms, such as the haiku<br/>- Edit your poems<br/>- Read and write with an increased understanding of the key elements of a poem.This course is for absolute beginners in the genre. Open to students who are trying poetry for the first time or who have never shared their work in a group setting before.You will be taught through a mix of indivudal, pair and group work, tutor instruction, text analysis, in-class writing activities and supportive workshop. Between sessions homework may be set to aid students in developing a writing discipline.<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 pen and paper.Once you've built your confidence on this introductory course, why not try Ways into poetry: an introduction or our term-long Ways into poetry course?<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>.virtual15915980HW142,HW153NONEMon,Thu20/10/25 - 24/11/2519:40 - 21:4019:4021:406 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley Street,OnlineToby Campion,Andrew WealeBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2025-10-20T00:00:00+00:00,2026-06-04T00:00:00+00:00EveningOct 2025,Jun 2026Writing159159Ways into poetry: a gentle paceways-into-poetry-a-gentle-pace/hw142-2526,ways-into-poetry-a-gentle-pace/hw153-2526Are you brand new to writing poetry? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners in the craft? This gentle short-course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a poet.,Are you brand new to writing poetry? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners in the craft? This gentle short course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a poet.0000-Available|2025-10-20 00:00:00Poetry often comes from a very personal place and the process of writing and sharing it for the first time can seem daunting. This introductory short course enables students new to the genre to explore the core forms of poetry, the key language techniques you can use for effect and some structural basics which will help you convey your message to the reader.Are you brand new to writing poetry? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners in the craft? This gentle short-course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a poet.,Are you brand new to writing poetry? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners in the craft? This gentle short course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a poet.- Core poetic forms.<br />
- Key approaches to structuring a poem.<br />
- Key language techniques in poetry.,- Core poetic forms.<br/>- Key approaches to structuring a poem.<br/>- Key language techniques in poetry.- Create strong images when writing a poem<br />
- Apply lineation and rhyme in your poetry<br />
- Identify metaphor and simile, and use these devices in your own work<br />
- Write using specific forms, such as the haiku<br />
- Edit your poems<br />
- Read and write with an increased understanding of the key elements of a poem.,- Create strong images when writing a poem<br/>- Apply lineation and rhyme in your poetry<br/>- Identify metaphor and simile, and use these devices in your own work<br/>- Write using specific forms, such as the haiku<br/>- Edit your poems<br/>- Read and write with an increased understanding of the key elements of a poem.This course is for absolute beginners in the genre. Open to students who are trying poetry for the first time or who have never shared their work in a group setting before.You will be taught through a mix of indivudal, pair and group work, tutor instruction, text analysis, in-class writing activities and supportive workshop. Between sessions homework may be set to aid students in developing a writing discipline.<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>.,You will be taught through a mix of indivudal, pair and group work, tutor instruction, text analysis, in-class writing activities and supportive workshop. Between sessions homework may be set to aid students in developing a writing discipline.<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 pen and paper.Once you've built your confidence on this introductory course, why not try Ways into poetry: an introduction or our term-long Ways into poetry course?<br />
<br />
All students are invited to join us at <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank">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" target="_blank">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" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href=" https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.,Once you've built your confidence on this introductory course, why not try Ways into poetry: an introduction or our term-long Ways into poetry course?<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
