Short course
Writing Poetry
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Location:
Online
Dates:
20/01/2027 - 02/04/2027
Study format:
Online - flexible
Fees:
£695.00
How can poetic form help me to turn the passion and intensity of life into memorable expressions? How can an appreciation of the techniques used by past and living poets help me to improve as a poet? This course is for anyone who would like to start to write, or to write better, poetry.
Poetry can seem like a members-only club. Even the names of poetic forms such as 'sonnet', 'villanelle', and 'sestina' can be as intimidating as the list of writers associated with them, from Sappho to Shakespeare to M. NourbeSe Philip. This course is designed to demystify poetic composition and to help students gain the confidence to produce poems of their own. It introduces students to a wide range of poems and poetic techniques with the aim of enabling them to gain a deeper appreciation of how poetry works, an understanding of the forms best suited to the kind of statements that they are interested in making, and confidence in deploying such devices as metre, free verse, rhyme, figurative language and more.
This course emphasises weekly reading and writing exercises, peer feedback, and tutor guidance. Tutors prompt and moderate discussions that centre on group learning rather than workshopping personal pieces of writing. Both assessed assignments receive detailed feedback from the tutor.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Programme details
The course is broken down into 10 units over 10 weeks, each requiring approximately 10 hours of study time. The following topics are covered:
- Inspiration: Drafting I
- Drafting II
- The Stanza
- Blank Verse
- Free Verse
- Free Verse II
- Lyric Poetry
- The Sonnet
- Nature Poetry
- From inspiration to publication
We strongly recommend that you try to find a little time each week to engage in the online conversations (at times that are convenient to you) as the forums are an integral and very rewarding part of the course and the online learning experience.
Level and demands
This course is open to all, and no prior knowledge is required.
This course is offered at FHEQ level 4 (first year undergraduate level), and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours.
English Language Requirements
We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but we warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements, please see here.
Course aims
This course aims to introduce participants to a wide variety of poetic techniques and forms.
IT requirements
This course is delivered online; to participate, you must be familiar with using a computer for purposes such as sending email and searching the Internet. You will also need regular access to the Internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification.
Programme details
The course is broken down into 10 units over 10 weeks, each requiring approximately 10 hours of study time. The following topics are covered:
- Inspiration: Drafting I
- Drafting II
- The Stanza
- Blank Verse
- Free Verse
- Free Verse II
- Lyric Poetry
- The Sonnet
- Nature Poetry
- From inspiration to publication
We strongly recommend that you try to find a little time each week to engage in the online conversations (at times that are convenient to you) as the forums are an integral and very rewarding part of the course and the online learning experience.
Teaching methods
- guided reading;
- guided writing tasks;
- guided use of relevant websites;
- use of tutor notes and handouts;
- close critical analyses of selected extracts from the texts studied and participants own writing.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be expected to understand:
- a wide range of verse forms and structures;
- notable examples of poetic forms from the history of literature in English;
- the relative advantages and challenges of one verse form over another;
- which forms and techniques are best suited to one’s own emerging voice.
By the end of this course, participants will be expected to have gained the following skills:
- competence and confidence in writing in a wide range of verse forms;
- an ability to recognise and experiment with different poetic structures and techniques;
- an ability to articulate their intentions and achievements in engaging with poetic form.
Assessment methods
You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first 500 words are due halfway through your course. Assignment 1 is up to 500 words about a drafted poem, as well as the drafted poem. This does not count towards your final outcome, but preparing for it and the feedback you are given will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work due at the end of the course. Your assessed work, Assignment 2, is more drafts of that same first poem as well as 3 other poems, no fewer than 10 and no more than 45 lines. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Dr Simon Pomery
Dr Simon Pomery is a sonic artist, drummer, guitarist and poet. He has performed his poetry at Xing the Line; Ikletik; European Poetry Festival; Clinic; A Year in Literature Festival, Magdalen College, University of Cambridge; CB1; BroadCast; The Book Club Boutique; Modern Poetry Day, in honour of T.S. Eliot, at Naishe Priory, East Coker; Post-Projects, New Cross, with a “poster-poems‟ installation from my Steve Reich Variations; Camaradefest at Rich Mix; Interrobang at the Betsey Trotwood; Writers At Risk for the Enemies Project and English Pen. In 2022 he founded the label/publisher/event series ‘Sonic Poetics’ in London: the name comes from his doctoral thesis which was completed in 2022: ‘Sonic Poetics: Sound and Listening in the Work of M. NourbeSe Philip and Sean Bonney’. His first pamphlet of poems , ‘The Stream’, was published in 2010 by tall-lighthouse. FLUF published his first collection of poetry, ‘FOUR PINTS OF GUINNESS FOR TONY CONRAD’, on Bloomsday in 2019., Popular Songs (Sonic Poetics) appeared in 2022. His poetry has been widely published in journals including The Times Literary Supplement, 3am Magazine, P.N. Review, and Sure Hope.
Assessment methods
You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first 500 words are due halfway through your course. Assignment 1 is up to 500 words about a drafted poem, as well as the drafted poem. This does not count towards your final outcome, but preparing for it and the feedback you are given will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work due at the end of the course. Your assessed work, Assignment 2, is more drafts of that same first poem as well as 3 other poems, no fewer than 10 and no more than 45 lines. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Level and demands
This course is open to all, and no prior knowledge is required.
This course is offered at FHEQ level 4 (first year undergraduate level), and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours.
English Language Requirements
We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but we warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements, please see here.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course Fee | £695.00 |
Module code: O26P480CRV
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page.