Course Outline for English 13A
Beginning Craft of Writing - Poetry

Effective: Fall 2021
SLO Rev: 12/09/2016
Catalog Description:

ENGL 13A - Beginning Craft of Writing - Poetry

3.00 Units

English 13A serves as a beginning course in the practice of writing poetry. Students will focus on analyzing and using techniques and styles from a diverse selection of poetry, including peers, to develop and revise one's own work. Students will learn elements of the craft of writing poetry such as voice, rhythm, imagery, extended metaphor, meter, and freeform.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102 or Eligibility for ENGL 1 as determined by multiple measures or other appropriate method
1507.00 - Creative Writing
Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. demonstrate basic knowledge of the craft of writing poetry, including the range of choices available to the poet in both traditional and modern forms; such as iambic pentameter, haiku, freeform, and prose poetry.
  2. demonstrate basic knowledge of the function of tropes, image, metaphor and symbol, and the function of diction and syntax;
  3. demonstrate basic skills in critical revision by submitting a portfolio of poems that responds to criticism from the instructor and class;
  4. demonstrate a basic understanding of methods of manuscript submission and the markets for poetry.
  5. demonstrate a novice ability to analyze the genre and devices used in poetry to determine their purpose and impacts on their audience.
Course Content:
  1. Analysis of selected works of poetry and literary criticism. 
    1. The works studied should illustrate the range possible in poetry;
      1. work studied should come from a diverse body of authors reflecting diversity in subject matter, cultural perspective, and gender perspective, national or geographic background, time period, structure, and theme.
      2. work studied should demonstrate the necessary vocabulary of criticism a writer must have to evaluate his/her own work. 
  2. Specific training through controlled assignments 
    1. Students will experiment with specific elements and techniques
  3. Workshop of student poetry
    1. The analysis and discussion of student writing by the class and instructor
      1. Written feedback with an aim toward revision
      2. Oral feedback with an aim toward revision
  4. A study of markets for poems and consideration of editorial requirements. 
    1. Consideration of problems of copyright
    2. Consideration of the method of submitting manuscripts
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Instructor provides students with feedback on their writing by instructors with experience/expertise in writing in the genre.
  2. Lecture/Discussion
  3. Seminar discussion of the student's writing by the class
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Provide written feedback to peer's creative work to be presented and discussed during workshop time.
  2. Submit a written analysis of an assigned poem discussing the author's choices regarding imagery, form and meter.
  3. Write a poem on an assigned topic and bring copies to class for peer review
  4. Give an oral presentation exploring the use of image, metaphor, and symbolism in a poem from our text
  5. Compile a portfolio of creative work for submission to a literary journal.
  1. Participation in the evaluation of the works of other members of the class
  2. Compilation of a portfolio of original work, including a final project
  3. Final Examination
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. The student should be able to write in traditional and modern forms
  2. The student should know the function(s) of tropes, images, symbols, diction, and syntax in poetry
  3. The student should be able to revise original poetry
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Anne Waldman and Lisa Berman (2004). Civil Disobediences: Poetics and Politics in Action Coffee House Press.
  2. Ron Padgett (2007). Handbook of Poetic Forms (2nd). The Teachers and Writers Collaborative.
  3. Dave Morice (2007). The Adventures of Dr. Alphabet: 104 Unusual Ways to Write Poetry in the Classroom & the Community (2nd). The Teachers and Writers Collaborative.
  4. ed. by Christopher Soto (2018). Nepantla: An Anthology of Queer Poets of Color Nightboat Books.
  5. Margaret Ferguson Ph. D, Tim Kendal, Mary Jo Salte (2018). Norton Anthology of Poetry (6th). W. W. Norton & Company; Sixth edition.
  6. ed. by Mahogany Browne, Idrissa Simmonds, Patricia Smith, and Jamila Woods (2018). The BreakBeat Poets: Black Girl Magic (Vol. 2). Haymarket Books .
  7. ed. by David Lehman (2003). Great American Prose Poems: From Poe to the Present Scribner Poetry.
  8. ed. by Mark Eleveld (2007). The Spoken Word Revolution REdux (A Poetry Speaks Experience) (1st). Sourcebooks MediaFusion.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Craft of writing poetry at the beginning level focuses on analyzing and using techniques and styles from a diverse selection of poetry, including peers, to develop and revise one's own work.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102 or Eligibility for ENGL 1 as determined by multiple measures or other appropriate method
Discipline:
English*