Meter has to be one of the hardest subjects to tackle in Creative Writing, and how you handle it can make or break your students’ experience of writing poetry. Some teachers probably ignore it altogether, which seems a shame, yet others quickly get into the weeds and make poetry seem complicated and impossible to write, whichContinue reading “Talking about Meter”
Tag Archives: Poetry
How I teach 4 Genres in 1 Semester, Part I
Teaching creative writing in 4 genres makes it more interesting, fun, and efficient than teaching the genres individually; you can see how each genre relates to and informs the others.
Why 4 Genres?
Why 4 genres? Because it is challenging, rewarding, and fun to teach them together and learn things from each that can be applied to any genre.
20 Reasons to Write or Read a Poem (besides commemorating a life event or making a buck)
This is a follow-up to my last post, “Indeed, Why Poetry?” which was a response to Daniel Halpern’s essay, “A Few Questions for Poetry,” that began with the mother of all questions: “Why poetry?” I don’t mean to start an argument, but I thought I ought to offer a few more answers to that questionContinue reading “20 Reasons to Write or Read a Poem (besides commemorating a life event or making a buck)”
Indeed, Why Poetry?
A Response to Daniel Halpern’s “A Few Questions for Poetry” On Dec. 30, 2016, Halpern published a defense of poetry in the New York Times. As often seems to be the case with these kinds of defenses, he raises some valid points while making a few troubling claims, not the smallest of which is theContinue reading “Indeed, Why Poetry?”
Free Books!
To celebrate the launch of Barrier Island Suite, I’m trying the giveaway feature on Goodreads. 5 lucky winners will each receive a copy free — but it will take you longer to get yours, so why not buy one today! Books have started shipping from Texas A&M University Press Consortium. Goodreads Book Giveaway Barrier Island SuiteContinue reading “Free Books!”
Barrier Island Suite Arrives
Yesterday, I received advance copies of my new book, Barrier Island Suite: poems inspired by the life and art of Walter Inglis Anderson. What I nice thing to discover on my return from spring break in Chicago. While we were there, I read a couple of poems at the Green Mill Lounge, and talked to MarcContinue reading “Barrier Island Suite Arrives”
A Thought on Meter
I’m in the middle of grading poetry exam, and thinking about how difficult it is to teach writers about rhythm, especially meter. This group of students is doing pretty good discussing it, but this always reminds me of the challenges they have in actually scanning a poem or hearing stressed and unstressed syllables in aContinue reading “A Thought on Meter”
Book Review: Sympathetic Magic by Amy Fleury
Sympathetic Magic by Amy Fleury My rating: 5 of 5 stars As the title poem announces, “Sometimes what is needed comes to hand.” These poems are both needed and close at hand. Amy Fleury’s voice is never overly intellectual, never too familiar. These poems are calm and contemplative, yet they bring necessary images to life,Continue reading “Book Review: Sympathetic Magic by Amy Fleury”
Southern Literary Festival 2014
Each year in the South, a group of undergraduate English majors and their professors descends on one member institution for a weekend of readings, workshops, and fun. This year, the host school for the Southern Literary Festival was Ole Miss (University of Mississippi to the rest of the country), who did a fabulous job arrangingContinue reading “Southern Literary Festival 2014”
Kendall Dunkelberg 