In this course, students will learn how to appreciate and analyse poetry in English. In ‘The First Book’, American poet Rita Dove compares reading a book to eating a meal:

Sure, it’s hard to get started;
remember learning to use

knife and fork? Dig in:
You’ll never reach the bottom.

In this course, we will learn how to ‘use/ knife and fork’ – i.e. to dissect and fully enjoy poems. Students will learn how to describe the key elements of poetry: rhythm, sound patterns, poetic forms (such as the sonnet and the ballad), syntax, speech acts, parts of speech, imagery, figurative language, and more. Through close reading and creative writing exercises, we will explore how to pay attention to poetry; indeed, we will explore how to understand poetry as a special way of paying attention to language, to our inner lives, and to the world around us. Poetry has much to teach us. It reveals the unresolvable contradictions of life; it shows us how the world can be seen from a multitude of perspectives. Ultimately, this course aims to cultivate a genuine interest in reading and writing poetry, fostering a deeper engagement with the rich and valuable art form.