Poetry Writing Workshop: Crafting the Poetry Manuscript

This course will focus on the craft of the poetry manuscript. First, we will read and discuss a diverse selection of contemporary poetry focusing on how the authors have chosen to compile and organize full-length poetry books. We will examine different organizing principles, such as narrative arc, serialization, thematic sections, and tone. We will also look at how the poetry “project” has influenced the shape of the book.

Because this is also a poetry workshop, we will work on writing your own original poems, as well as compiling your own poetry manuscript (for beginning students, this can be a chapbook length work of 24 pages, and for advanced students, this can be a full-length manuscript of 48 pages). These manuscripts can be a mix of work written for this course, as well as poems written previous to the course. This course will be ideal for students working on creative MA theses and dissertations.

Required Texts:

McDougall, Brandy Nalani. The Salt Wind Ka Makani Paʻakai. Honolulu: Kuleana Oiwi Press, 2008. Paper. ISBN: 0966822056.

Mohabir, Rajiv. The Taxidermist’s Cut. New York: Four Way Books, 2016. Paper. ISBN: 1935536729.

Diaz, Natalie. When My Brother was an Aztec. Port Townsend, WA: Copper Canyon Press, 2012. Paper. ISBN: 155659383X

Vuong, Ocean. Night Sky with Exit Wounds. Port Townsend, WA: Copper Canyon Press, 2016. Paper. ISBN: 155659495X

Taesali, Penina. Sourcing Siapo. Honolulu: Ala Press, 2016. Paper. ISBN: 1537242954.

Sharif, Solmaz. Look. Minneapolis: Graywolf Press, 2016. Paper. ISBN: 1555977448

Rosal, Patrick. Brooklyn Antediluvian: Poems. New York: Persea Press, 2016. Paper. ISBN: 0892554746.

Rankine, Claudia. Citizen: An American Lyric. Minneapolis: Graywolf Press, 2014. Paper. ISBN: 1555976905.

 

Student Learning Outcomes:

Develop an understanding of the discipline of English and its relationship to other disciplines (Poetics and Creative Writing)

Develop an awareness of the contributions of Pacific Islander, Asian, and other cultures to the formation of the field of Creative Writing and English Studies in the 21st Century

Develop an understanding of advanced research methods and creative techniques in relation to Poetry and Creative Writing practice

Develop the ability to demonstrate advanced critical analysis in both written and oral formats in relation to the history, theory, and craft of Creative Writing

Develop the ability to map, historicize, and contextualize the history, theory, and craft of Creative Writing

Develop advanced creative writing skills for publication