Overview

Writing poetry is easy. Editing poetry is much more involved and time-consuming than the writing itself. In this class we will discuss various methods to edit your poems. Skilled workshopping and editing poems is never a one-size fits all model. Expert criticism is tailor-made to fit each poet and each poem individually. However there are certain techniques that we tend to look at while editing every poem: line breaks, stanza breaks, the use of white space, line-edits, including deep revision, brainstorming for alternate words, images, and metaphors, and a consideration of reordering the poem, especially the opening and closing. In this class, we will look at some famous poems (by Marie Howe, Sharon Olds, Sylvia Plath, Seamus Heaney, Rita Dove, Nick Flynn, Carl Phillips, Louise Glück) and the ways the poet has edited them. Each week, we will workshop a poem from each student and employ many of these methods for revision. This class is suitable for beginning poets. Each student will leave with a packet of revised poems and tips on continuing to edit their work at home.

A half hour each week will be spent on an element of craft: line breaks, form, syntax, and imagery/metaphor. The rest of the time will be spent workshopping student work.