MALS 239 Poetry Workshop

In this workshop course we will read and revise our own poetry and the poetry of our peers. We will discuss potential revision strategies and read recently published books of poetry to help situate ourselves in the present literary moment. The primary goal of this course is to develop our own distinctive poetic voice by experimenting with metaphor, lyricism, and other poetic tools. The secondary goal of this course is to explore the larger conversations going on in the poetry community right now by editors, critics, writers and readers. Toward this end, we will read recently published award-winning poetry collections and discuss them during class time.

Craft essays and writing prompts will be available as part of the materials for the course. All of the assignments for this class are creative. Student poems will be submitted to the class each week and revised three times for the final portfolio. We will discuss revision strategies as the class goes forward, working toward three successive revisions of each poem for the final portfolio. This portfolio of revised poems will be in place of a final paper or exam. Writers at all levels are welcome.

Instructor

Rena Mosteirin