MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to Writing Poetry

Course: CRW160

First Term: 1996 Spring

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Prewriting (invention and discovery); writing; analyzing and evaluating (in workshop); and revising to practice manipulating various elements of poetry, critique one`s own and the poetry of others, and produce a portfolio of finished, marketable poems.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Distinguish between concrete and figurative language. (I) 2. Use concrete imagery in written poetry. (I) 3. Write poetry that uses precise language with appropriate connotation. (I) 4. Use a variety of figures of speech in written poetry. (I) 5. Distinguish between language that is fresh and language that is cliched or trite. (I) 6. Analyze and evaluate the language in the student`s own poetry and in the poetry of others. (I) 7. Use a variety of revision techniques to improve language in the student`s own poetry. (I) 8. Define, explain the function of, and correctly use the following elements of poetry: stanza, line, end stop, enjambment, and punctuation. (II) 9. Write poetry that uses the following elements: end rhyme, internal rhyme, slant rhyme, alliteration, assonance, consonance, onomatopoeia, and phonetic intensives. (III) 10. Scan a variety of poems, identifying metrical feet and metrical lines used in the poems. (III) 11. Write examples of several different metrical feet, metrical lines, and metrical pauses. (III) 12. Analyze and evaluate the sound in the student`s own poetry and in the poetry of others. (III) 13. Use a variety of revision techniques to improve the sound in the student`s own poetry. (III) 14. Describe several different stanzaic, continuous, and fixed forms of poetry. (IV) 15. Write poetry in several different stanzaic forms. (IV) 16. Write poems in a continuous form. (IV) 17. Write poems in a variety of fixed forms. (IV) 18. Describe and write examples of several different types of poetry. (IV) 19. Write poetry that expresses emotion. (V) 20. Define and explain the function of the speaker in poetry. (V) 21. Define and explain the function of voice in poetry. (V) 22. Analyze and evaluate the speaker and voice in the student`s own poetry and that of others for consistency and clarity. (V) 23. Use several revision techniques to improve the effectiveness of speaker and voice in the student`s own poetry. (V) 24. Explain how the cultural and/or historical context contributes to theme in the student`s own poetry and in the poetry of others. (VI) 25. Use symbolism to convey meaning and develop theme poetry. (VI) 26. Explain the symbolism in selected poetry by others. (VI) 27. Use tone to convey meaning and develop theme in poetry. (VI) 28. Explain the function of tone in selected poetry by others. (VI) 29. Use a variety of poetic devices to develop theme and convey meaning in the student`s own poetry. (VI) 30. Analyze and evaluate theme and meaning in the student`s own poetry and in the poetry of others. (VI) 31. Identify resources that may help poets develop their craft and market their poetry. (VII) 32. Identify several different markets for poetry. (VII) 33. Submit poems in standard manuscript form. (VII) 34. Explain U.S. copyright laws as they apply to poetry. (VII) 35. Explain the poet`s responsibilities in avoiding plagiarism, acquiring permission to use copyrighted material, and engaging in contracts. (VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Manipulating Language A. Concrete 1. Imagery 2. Precision 3. Connotation B. Figurative 1. Simile 2. Metaphor 3. Personification 4. Metonymy 5. Apostrophe 6. Synecdoche 7. Verbal irony 8. Oxymoron C. Freshness 1. Cliches 2. Dying and dead metaphor 3. Triteness D. Analyzing language E. Evaluating language F. Revision techniques II. Manipulating Structure and Arrangement A. Line 1. End stop 2. Enjambment B. Stanza C. Punctuation D. Analyzing structure and arrangement E. Evaluating structure and arrangement F. Revision techniques III. Creating Sound A. Rhyme 1. End rhyme 2. Internal rhyme 3. Slant rhyme B. Alliteration, assonance, and consonance C. Onomatopoeia and phonetic intensives D. Meter 1. Accent 2. Metrical foot 3. Metrical line 4. Metrical pause 5. Scansion E. Analyzing sound F. Evaluating sound G. Revision techniques IV. Using Forms and Types of Poetry A. Stanzaic forms 1. Ballad 2. Rhyme royal 3. Terza rima 4. Other B. Continuous forms C. Fixed forms 1. Haiku 2. Limerick 3. Sonnet 4. Other D. Types of poems 1. Prose 2. Found 3. List 4. Shaped 5. Narrative 6. Dramatic monologue 7. Memory 8. Epistolary 9. Occasional 10. Other V. Creating Speaker and Voice A. Self expression 1. Emotion 2. Sincerity 3. Appropriateness B. Speaker 1. Clarity 2. Consistency 3. Point of view 4. Persona C. Voice 1. Clarity 2. Consistency D. Analyzing speaker and voice E. Evaluating speaker and voice F. Revision techniques VI. Developing Theme and Meaning A. Cultural/historical context B. Symbolism C. Tone D. Devices 1. Allusion 2. Metaphor 3. Paradox 4. Hyperbole 5. Understatement 6. Irony E. Interpreting theme and meaning F. Evaluating theme and meaning G. Revision techniques VII. Marketing Poetry A. Writer`s resources B. Poetry markets C. Manuscript form D. Publishing and copyright

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 10/24/1995

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.