Poetry Writing 2

Overview

This module is suitable for people who have some experience of writing poetry and for those who have completed Poetry writing 1. Students will be given the opportunity to learn about poetic forms, such as the sonnet and the villanelle and a range of modes, including narrative, confessional and metaphorical. Sometime will also be spent looking at opportunities for students wishing to promote and develop their work further, including submitting work to competitions and magazines.  

Programme

Activities and tasks will be embedded into each unit so students can practise the techniques they have learned and develop their skills. Students will be encouraged to share their own work and participate in discussions on Blackboard. Alongside the learning materials on Blackboard the tutor will be on hand via email to answer any queries and provide guidance throughout the course. They will also participate in the online discussions.   

• Unit 1- Imagistic and narrative poetry, some definitions and history: a look at the poetry of William Carlos Williams and Courtyards in Delft by Derek Mahon.  
• Unit 2 - Confessional and metaphorical poetry- with a look at poets from Seamus Heaney, Sylvia Plath, Robert Lowell and Adrienne Rich.  
• Unit 3 - The sonnet form, some historical and contemporary examples, definition, the iambic pentameter and rhyming scheme.  
• Unit 4 - The villanelle and sestina, definitions and a look at examples from Dylan Thomas, Elizabeth Bishop and Seamus Heaney. A mid-way TEAMS will be provided.  
• Unit 5 - Working methods and approaches – word hoards, maps, inspiration and redrafting from early ideas.  
• Unit 6 - The editing process, reading aloud, developing ideas.  
• Unit 7 - Advice from particular poets on their writing processes.  
• Unit 8 - Further opportunities through competitions, courses, magazines and funding.  
• Unit 9 - Let’s celebrate, a final TEAMS session to bring the strands of the course together and a chance to receive personal feedback on work from the tutor.  

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:  

1. Identify and employ a variety of poetic modes.   
2. Demonstrate an understanding of a number of different poetic forms.   
3. Review own work critically and edit effectively.   
4. Discuss and evaluate the development of own and others’ work. 

Assessments

1. Creative Writing Portfolio 2000 words, to include critical reflection on the development of; and presentation of, two poems written in different modes and one poem written within formal constraints (such as a sonnet, villanelle or sestina (100%) 

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course. 

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements.

What Do I Need?

As this is an online course, you would need the following:

• Internet access
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also be of benefit
• Use of the Chrome web-browser where possible.