Developing your poetry

About this course

The course examines poetic craftsmanship and content through close reading of published poetry, with attention to form, style and technique. Participants write in response to exercises, experimenting with both fixed forms and free verse, then share work for constructive feedback. Tutor-led discussion, talks and group critique are combined with opportunities to edit poems in response to comments on their strengths and weaknesses. Optional homework is set each week.

What you'll learn

• Analyse poetic form through close reading of published work.
• Experiment with a range of poetic forms and styles.
• Write poems in fixed form and free verse.
• Edit poems using constructive feedback.

Is this course right for you?

This course is intended for intermediate writers developing beyond introductory poetry study. Learners should have some familiarity with contemporary poetry and basic poetic technique, and be prepared to discuss and share writing in a workshop setting.

• The course includes feedback on participants' own poems.
• Optional homework is set each week.

Before you go

• Bring paper and a pen.
• Participants are expected to provide copies of their poems for class feedback.