ENGL 200-01, Introductory Poetry Workshop, Spring 2001

Abstract

This course is designed to introduce students to principles of good poetry, with readings in a manual of prosody, readings of work by outside writers and several brief essays from Hugo’s The Triggering Town. Students are expected to analyze and prepare to discuss the poems and essays they read, so that they will make significant contributions to class discussion. Some assignments will be more difficult and require more effort than others. If you apply yourself and make a strong effort to work at the reading and writing, your experience of this course will be richer. Please don’t hesitate to share your own interests with the class, by bringing in work by writers whose poems you admire. The more each member contributes in different ways to the workshop the more interesting it will be. If you are willing to be guided in your writing, experiment with exercises, and listen to suggestions for improving your work, you will gain important skills and your poetry will improve.