"Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood." T.S. Eliot
Writing is an extremely personal act. Though it can feel daunting, good writers know that sharing their unfinished work with others is a crucial component of improving their craft. If interested in honing your creative poetry skills, apply to join poet and critic Jane Scharl for a four session poetry workshop! Students will have the opportunity to attend poetry annotation lectures and workshop two personal poems in a group setting.
Poetry Workshop Overview
Four 1.5 hour Zoom sessions
Dates:
November 8th
November 22nd
December 6th
December 13th
Each session will follow this format:
- 15-minute annotation lecture, in which the mentor “annotates” a great poem (or two) while students watch and listen. The annotation will explore elements of poetry that the mentor has noticed within the students’ poems for the day’s workshop, so during this lecture, the mentor will introduce and use language, observations, and techniques that students will imitate during the workshop.
- Four 15-minute workshop sessions, with a 3-minute flex in between for wrap-up and response. These sessions will be divided into two “blocks” of Sessions 1 & 2, and Sessions 3 & 4. Each student will have a poem workshopped during each block.
During the course of the workshop, students will receive feedback on three poems, and will attend four short lectures introducing poetic concepts, techniques, and forms.
Student Expectations
Each student will have two poems worked on in the group workshop, one in the first two sessions and one in the second two sessions. The second poem for workshop will be written after the first one has been workshopped, so students have a chance to incorporate new skills and techniques.
Students will have one essay to read in preparation for each session (from one of three essential handbooks: Poetry as Persuasion, Rhyme’s Reason, and Poetic Meter and Poetic Form). The mentor will provide guiding questions to accompany the essay assignment, and students are expected to have thought about answers to those questions as they read. They do not need to write down their answers, merely be prepared to discuss during the workshop.
Application Process
Students will apply by submitting two poems, along with a brief biographical statement detailing his or her previous experience with poetry, favorite poets, and literary aspirations. (NOTE: This biographical statement will *not* be reviewed as part of the application packet. Applications will be evaluated on the strength of the poems alone. These statements will only be used to assist in preparing lectures and in mentor feedback.) One of the two poems will be workshopped in the first round (first two sessions), while the second will receive private written feedback from the mentor.
Though this workshop is geared towards undergraduate students, grad student applications will be considered. Space is limited. Application deadline is September 2nd.