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PBDS 623.185
Poetry Workshop

NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester.

purpose:

In this course you will read and write poetry. You will learn how to critique poems in a weekly workshop, become a better reader of poetry, and develop techniques and sensibilities that will lead you closer to finding your poetic voice.

texts:

The Discovery of Poetry, by Frances Mayes

+ at least one book of poetry by a poet of your choice

requirements:

a final portfolio of original work revised from weekly assignments (include workshop draft and revision)

attendance at at least one poetry reading and a one page response

completion of a journal/commonplace book (one filled notebook)

written journal responses to 5 poetry books included in journal

memorization of three poems

grading:

Your grade will be based on the quality of your final portfolio, your participation in class, and your completion of all requirements. It is important that you bring your poems to class on time and photocopied,whether or not you are satisfied with them. Take advantage of the deadline each week. Missing two or more classes can lower your grade. Extreme lateness (30 minutes) or leaving early counts as half an absence. Please feel free to come by before or after class to talk about your writing. I also urge you to exchange work with writers in the class. In a class such as this, sitting down with one person privately can be some of the most valuable time spent. (I am available for short and long conferences,even 10 minutes before class to look at a poem, and hope you will come by and see me at least once this term.)

"I want to write, but more than that, I want to bring out all kinds of things buried in my heart.".

--Anne Frank

the plan

(subject to change according to the heat of the moment)

"Poetry is prose with an attitude."

--B.C. comic strip

week 1

Course Intro

week 2

Given First Line Poem

in your journal: select three poems you like from your reading assignment and copy (or photocopy) them into your journal. Why did you choose the poem? What did you like about it? The subject? The words? The shape? The voice? What surprised you? Make notes in your journal.

Readings:

Invitation and Chapter 3.

"Gloire De Dijon" p. 66

"What the Dog Perhaps Hears" p. 67

"Nantucket" p. 73

"Traveling Through the Dark"p. 75

"Facing It" p.104

"Fog Horn" p. 125

"University of Iowa Hospital" p. 126

"The Best Days" p. 128

"A Partial Explanation" p. 142

"Between Walls" p. 256

"Heat" p. 258

"In A Station At The Metro" p. 259

"Snow" p. 274

"Alba" p. 351

"Image" p. 447

"Poem" p. 277

week 3

Response Poem

*** for the response poem, select any poem you want from the anthology, then write a response to that poem. You response can be in any form--that is, you don't necessarily need to imitate the style or form of the poem. What you do need to do is engage with it in some way--rebut it, argue with it, admire it, satirize it, mimic it, parody it, write a "prequel" or sequel to it, address the writer directly, or use any other strategy you wish to respond to the poem.

in your journal: copy at least 10 terrific images you found in your reading (this week's or last) and come to class prepared to shine your light on them. If you are inclined, copy,or photocopy,all or parts of poems.

Readings:

"Blades" p. 269

"Starlight" p. 275

"Inkfish" p. 343

"In the Waiting Room" p. 421

"Autobiographia Literaria" p. 141

"Nani" p. 155

"My Papa's Waltz" p. 24

week 4

Childhood Memory Poem/Five Senses

from Mayes: "Write about a symbolic object from childhood: a ruby your aunt wore in the hollow of her throat, a pistol in your father's bedside table, your mother's stack of yellowed love letters in the hall closet, a set of trains you loved∞"

or any other suggestions on pages 465-467 that involve childhood memory.

in your journal: copy at least 5 great metaphors from your reading.

Readings:

pages 380-386 and:

"A Blessing" p. 2

"The Fish" p. 53

"Words" p. 62

"Today" p. 62

"Study of Two Pears" p. 78

"Body Poems" p. 106

"Fork" p. 127

"Cat and Weather" p. 276

"Blackberrying" p. 280

"Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" p. 281

"To a Watch at Night" p. 383

"Poppies" p. 341

"A Smart Dithyramb" p.

"What would happen if one woman told the truth about her life?

The world would split open."

--Muriel Rukeyser

week 5

Object Poem Workshop

in your journal: make a list of objects/subjects in your journal you might like to write about. . . consider food, things on your dresser, in your medicine chest, your closet, your purse, your backpack, then pick one and write a poem about it.

Handout

"The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible."

--Oscar Wilde

week 6

Voice Imitation Poem

Read a book by a contemporary poet and write a poem that imitates the poet's style. Type up your poem along with 3 poems by the poet. Type his or her name at the bottom of each poem, including the one that is actually yours. Make 5 copies for your workshop group. In class, we will try to guess which poem is the imitation.

in your journal: make notes about what you observe

to be part of the poet's style.

Readings:

pages 177-206 and:

"Saying Things" p. 27

"Free Union" p. 418

"Marin Headlands" p. 337

"Living" p. 335

week 7

Repetition Poem

Also, bring journals into class for a check up. Your journals should include poems you have copied, poems of your own you have started, daily entries, things you observe, dreams, questions∞quotes∞

Readings:

"Long Range Patrol" p. 277

"A Father at a Son's Baptism" p. 18

"The Mother" p. 398

"The Negress" p. 135

"The Elder Sister: p. 262

Handout

"In a dark time, the eye begins to see."

--Theodore Roethke

week 8

Persona Poem

Write a poem in the voice of someone else,historical, contemporary, familial,

Choose someone whose story you want to tell.

Think about the tone.

Readings:

"Resemblance" p. 151

"Deaf Poem" p. 333

"Tulips" p.

week 9

Scary Poem

Write about something that scares or scared you.

Handout

week 10

Free Choice Poem

Pages 300-312; 318-322

Handout

"Form is a fulfillment of desir."

--Kenneth Burke

week 11

Formal Poem

Bring journals in for check up.

Recite "Jabberwocky" (p 25 ) from memory!

week 12

Experimental Poem

Bring magazines, newspapers, scissors, and tape.

"Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.".

--Jalal Rumi

week 13

The Gentle Art of Revision

Bring 3 poems you wrote this semester that you want to work on. Print out fresh copies, and make one of them double-spaced. Bring at least one poem you think stinks.

week 14

Free Choice Poem

This is the poem you have been avoiding writing, the one that is yanking at your ear, tugging at your sleeve, the one that wants to come out but you are ignoring it because you think it will be too dangerous, too mean, too funny, too trite, too something.

week 15

PORTFOLIOS DUE (a collection of all the poems you have written this semester, revised, including copies of workshop drafts, plus a one page poetry reading response)

OPEN MIC READING!!!

"I love deadlines. I love to hear the sound of them rushing past. "

--Anon.




			PBDS 623.185 Poetry Workshop NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester. purpose: In this course you will read and write poetry. You will learn how to critique poems in a weekly workshop, become a better reader of poetry, and develop techniques and sensibilities that will lead you closer to finding your poetic voice. texts: The Discovery of Poetry, by Frances Mayes + at least one book of poetry by a poet of your choice requirements: a final portfolio of original work revised from weekly assignments (include workshop draft and revision) attendance at at least one poetry reading and a one page response completion of a journal/commonplace book (one filled notebook) written journal responses to 5 poetry books included in journal memorization of three poems grading: Your grade will be based on the quality of your final portfolio, your participation in class, and your completion of all requirements. It is important that you bring your poems to class on time and photocopied,whether or not you are satisfied with them. Take advantage of the deadline each week. Missing two or more classes can lower your grade. Extreme lateness (30 minutes) or leaving early counts as half an absence. Please feel free to come by before or after class to talk about your writing. I also urge you to exchange work with writers in the class. In a class such as this, sitting down with one person privately can be some of the most valuable time spent. (I am available for short and long conferences,even 10 minutes before class to look at a poem, and hope you will come by and see me at least once this term.) "I want to write, but more than that, I want to bring out all kinds of things buried in my heart.". --Anne Frank the plan (subject to change according to the heat of the moment) "Poetry is prose with an attitude." --B.C. comic strip week 1 Course Intro week 2 Given First Line Poem in your journal: select three poems you like from your reading assignment and copy (or photocopy) them into your journal. Why did you choose the poem? What did you like about it? The subject? The words? The shape? The voice? What surprised you? Make notes in your journal. Readings: Invitation and Chapter 3. "Gloire De Dijon" p. 66 "What the Dog Perhaps Hears" p. 67 "Nantucket" p. 73 "Traveling Through the Dark"p. 75 "Facing It" p.104 "Fog Horn" p. 125 "University of Iowa Hospital" p. 126 "The Best Days" p. 128 "A Partial Explanation" p. 142 "Between Walls" p. 256 "Heat" p. 258 "In A Station At The Metro" p. 259 "Snow" p. 274 "Alba" p. 351 "Image" p. 447 "Poem" p. 277 week 3 Response Poem *** for the response poem, select any poem you want from the anthology, then write a response to that poem. You response can be in any form--that is, you don't necessarily need to imitate the style or form of the poem. What you do need to do is engage with it in some way--rebut it, argue with it, admire it, satirize it, mimic it, parody it, write a "prequel" or sequel to it, address the writer directly, or use any other strategy you wish to respond to the poem. in your journal: copy at least 10 terrific images you found in your reading (this week's or last) and come to class prepared to shine your light on them. If you are inclined, copy,or photocopy,all or parts of poems. Readings: "Blades" p. 269 "Starlight" p. 275 "Inkfish" p. 343 "In the Waiting Room" p. 421 "Autobiographia Literaria" p. 141 "Nani" p. 155 "My Papa's Waltz" p. 24 week 4 Childhood Memory Poem/Five Senses from Mayes: "Write about a symbolic object from childhood: a ruby your aunt wore in the hollow of her throat, a pistol in your father's bedside table, your mother's stack of yellowed love letters in the hall closet, a set of trains you loved∞" or any other suggestions on pages 465-467 that involve childhood memory. in your journal: copy at least 5 great metaphors from your reading. Readings: pages 380-386 and: "A Blessing" p. 2 "The Fish" p. 53 "Words" p. 62 "Today" p. 62 "Study of Two Pears" p. 78 "Body Poems" p. 106 "Fork" p. 127 "Cat and Weather" p. 276 "Blackberrying" p. 280 "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" p. 281 "To a Watch at Night" p. 383 "Poppies" p. 341 "A Smart Dithyramb" p. "What would happen if one woman told the truth about her life? The world would split open." --Muriel Rukeyser week 5 Object Poem Workshop in your journal: make a list of objects/subjects in your journal you might like to write about. . . consider food, things on your dresser, in your medicine chest, your closet, your purse, your backpack, then pick one and write a poem about it. Handout "The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible." --Oscar Wilde week 6 Voice Imitation Poem Read a book by a contemporary poet and write a poem that imitates the poet's style. Type up your poem along with 3 poems by the poet. Type his or her name at the bottom of each poem, including the one that is actually yours. Make 5 copies for your workshop group. In class, we will try to guess which poem is the imitation. in your journal: make notes about what you observe to be part of the poet's style. Readings: pages 177-206 and: "Saying Things" p. 27 "Free Union" p. 418 "Marin Headlands" p. 337 "Living" p. 335 week 7 Repetition Poem Also, bring journals into class for a check up. Your journals should include poems you have copied, poems of your own you have started, daily entries, things you observe, dreams, questions∞quotes∞ Readings: "Long Range Patrol" p. 277 "A Father at a Son's Baptism" p. 18 "The Mother" p. 398 "The Negress" p. 135 "The Elder Sister: p. 262 Handout "In a dark time, the eye begins to see." --Theodore Roethke week 8 Persona Poem Write a poem in the voice of someone else,historical, contemporary, familial, Choose someone whose story you want to tell. Think about the tone. Readings: "Resemblance" p. 151 "Deaf Poem" p. 333 "Tulips" p. week 9 Scary Poem Write about something that scares or scared you. Handout week 10 Free Choice Poem Pages 300-312; 318-322 Handout "Form is a fulfillment of desir." --Kenneth Burke week 11 Formal Poem Bring journals in for check up. Recite "Jabberwocky" (p 25 ) from memory! week 12 Experimental Poem Bring magazines, newspapers, scissors, and tape. "Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.". --Jalal Rumi week 13 The Gentle Art of Revision Bring 3 poems you wrote this semester that you want to work on. Print out fresh copies, and make one of them double-spaced. Bring at least one poem you think stinks. week 14 Free Choice Poem This is the poem you have been avoiding writing, the one that is yanking at your ear, tugging at your sleeve, the one that wants to come out but you are ignoring it because you think it will be too dangerous, too mean, too funny, too trite, too something. week 15 PORTFOLIOS DUE (a collection of all the poems you have written this semester, revised, including copies of workshop drafts, plus a one page poetry reading response) OPEN MIC READING!!! "I love deadlines. I love to hear the sound of them rushing past. " --Anon. home \| bs, corporate communication \| ba, english \| ma, publications design \| mfa, integrated design \| mfa, creative writing & publishing arts \| people \| portfolio \| facilities \| classes \| undergraduate applications \| graduate applications \| contact \| site index \| university of baltimore