Las Positas College
3033 Collier Canyon Road
Livermore, CA 94551-7650
(925) 424-1000
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Course Outline for English 13
THE CRAFT OF WRITING POETRY
I.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
ENG 13 — THE CRAFT OF WRITING POETRY — 3 units
Practice in writing poetry, using materials drawn from published poetry and individual’s own
work for analysis and criticism, with a focus on techniques of revision. Strongly
recommended: English 11 and Eligibility for English 1A. 3 hours.
II.
NUMBER OF TIMES COURSE MAY BE TAKEN FOR CREDIT: Three
III.
PREREQUISITE AND/OR ADVISORY SKILLS:
Before entering the course, it is strongly recommended that the student be able to:
From English 100B/104:
A.
assess the reading task in advance according to the purpose for reading and the
difficulty of the materials to be read;
B.
establish outcomes for the reading material prior to reading it by forming appropriate
questions;
C.
pause at intervals to recite, reflect and develop additional questions or outcomes for
the reading;
D.
develop methods and strategies which will assist more critical evaluation of texts;
E.
respond critically to reading by means of class discussions and through writing;
F.
develop a focused, active style of reading;
G.
apply structural elements in writing appropriate to audiences and purpose;
H.
develop flexible reading style, adjusting reading rate to purpose for and difficulty of
material;
I.
provide appropriate and adequate evidence primarily from the reading to support
opinions and conclusions;
J.
write cumulative sentences formed from base clauses;
K.
use descriptive grammar to check sentences usage and for punctuation;
L.
proofread her/his own prose.
From English 11:
A.
use techniques including image, metaphor, and symbolism to create meaning in
poetry;
B.
use traditional and modern forms in poetry to develop ideas;
C.
identify and manipulate source materials for creative writing;
D.
revise a creative work in progress;
E.
demonstrate and develop skills in writing poetry, including the function of image,
metaphor and symbol and the use of traditional and modern forms.
IV.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
A.
demonstrate and develop skills of analysis as they relate to poetry, informed by
awareness of the range of choices available to the poet in both traditional and
modern forms;
Course Outline for English 13
Page 2
THE CRAFT OF WRITING POETRY
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
demonstrate creative facility with image, metaphor and symbol, use of sound, and a
variety of fixed forms;
demonstrate a skill in critical revision as an essential part of the creative process;
demonstrate knowledge and skill in the methods and protocol of written and verbal
critique for creative writing;
recognize and demonstrate the elements of skilled oral presentation of poetry;
critique a given oral performance of poetry through evaluation of these elements;
explain the methods of manuscript submission and the markets for poetry.
V.
CONTENT:
A.
Analyze selected works of poetry, covering the range of statement possible in poetic
forms;
B.
Create poetic work through controlled assignments to enable the student to master
specific elements and techniques;
C.
Develop the vocabulary of criticism necessary to the evaluation of one’s own work;
D.
Discuss and master methods for verbal and written critique;
E.
Study and practice of the elements of oral presentation of poetry, for example tone,
diction, and pacing;
F.
Evaluate oral presentations of professional poets through attendance of local
readings;
G.
Study of markets for poems and a consideration of editorial requirements.
VI.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
A.
Lecture
B.
Discussion
C.
Oral presentation of student writing
D.
Oral analysis and critique of student writing
E.
Written analysis of student writing
F.
In-class writing assignments
G.
Guest Lecture
H.
Multi-media presentations
VII.
TYPICAL ASSIGNMENTS:
A.
Reading and analysis
1.
Outline the requirements and variations of the sonnet form and discuss the
ways in which Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 118” relates content to form.
2.
Describe the images used in Sylvia Plath’s “Lady Lazarus” and provide
interpretations for the symbolism, supported by the language, sound, and tone
of Plath’s writing.
B.
Writing
1.
Take notice of two elements of Frost’s “Nothing Gold Can Stay”: sound,
structure, rhythm, image, or meaning. Then write a poem of your own that
echoes and “talks back to” these two elements.
2.
Considering connection between form and content, write a poem in one of the
following fixed forms: sonnet, rondolet, villanelle, sestina, haiku, or tanka;
provide a paragraph explaining the ways in which you have attempted to relate
the content of your poem to the chosen form.
VIII.
EVALUATION:
A.
Progress in mastering the craft of poetry
B.
Participation in discussion and analysis of assigned reading
C.
Participation in the evaluation of the works of other members of the class
D.
Compilation of a portfolio of original work, including a final project
E.
Final Exam
Course Outline for English 13
Page 3
THE CRAFT OF WRITING POETRY
IX.
TYPICAL TEXTS:
A.
B.
X.
Morrison, Carol. How to Build A Long-Lasting Fire: Writing Poems from Your Life.
Lincolnwood, Ill: NTC Publishing, 2003.
Nims, John Frederick. Western Wind: An Introduction to Poetry. New York: McGrawHill, 2006.
OTHER MATERIALS REQUIRED OF STUDENTS: None
Creation Date:
1/94
Revision Date:
11/99; 4/06
Date Approved by Curriculum Committee: 11/29/06
Effective Date: Fall 2007