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English 235-001
Writing Poetry: Forms, Styles, Voices

Instr: Firer, Susan
Office: CRT 576; 229-6993
e-mail: sfirer@uwm.edu
Office hours: MW; 2:00-3:00pm
Course Information: MWF; 10:00-10:50am; CRT 321

Course Description

The objective is to introduce students to some basic structures and techniques through the analysis of a wide range of poetry. In combination with reading and discussion, they will also implement what they have learned by writing a ten page manuscript which is tied to the poetry studied in class for structure and technique. During the course of the semester, we will cover the following forms and techniques (not necessarily in this order):

Image
Syllabic Verse
Sonnet
Line
Elemental Ode
Dramatic Monologue
Villanelle
Sestina
Occasional Poem
List Poem
List
Narrative Poem
Epistle
Prose Poem

Grade: The grade in this course will be a contract grade. In order to earn a B, students will be responsible for the following:

  1. Attendance and participation (25%): after three absences, the final grade will be lowered a third of a grade with each subsequent absence (for example, a B will become a B- after the fourth absence). Exceptions will be made only under extreme circumstances.
  2. In-class writing and assignments (25%): timely completion of all assigned readings, writings, and presentations.
  3. Final project (25%): a 10-page poetry manuscript and writer's notebook. Each poem in the manuscript must be connected to class assignments with explanatory sentences detailing the connections. The writer's notebook should include an entry for each day.
  4. Oral report (25%): an oral report on a contemporary poet consisting of biographical information, a minimum of fifteen quotes from the writer on writing (with all sources cited - the student must use at least one on-line source and one print source), and a selection of the author's work that illustrates the chosen quotes. Please include a works cited page and a selected bibliography of other works by the poet.

Texts: Contemporary American Poetry, 6th edition, edited by A. Poulin, Jr.
In the Palm of Your Hand, edited by Steve Kowitt
Course reader (available at Clark Graphics)
* Readings will be assigned in class.