Instructor: Martha Serpas

English 4356:

Poetic Forms and Techniques

Pattern and variation is the basis of all established poetic forms and provides the tension that quickens all memorable poetry, especially the most powerful free verse. For our purposes, pattern means formal rhyme, meter, and stanzaic forms although we will extend that definition to include repetitions of other structures and meanings. Similarly, variation includes play and improvisation against and beside any of the above patterns. We will read about the history and application of majorforms, read works by poets outside the class, and evaluate our own conventional formal poetry.