The Stanza
What are stanzas for? Alongside the poetic line itself, the stanza is one of two main structural features of modern poetry. Nevertheless, many poets feel unsure about how to use them in their own work.
In this course, you will explore the possibilities of established stanza forms, such as terza rima and Tennyson’s In Memoriam stanza, as well as turning your attention to the use of the stanza in free verse, and in contemporary experimental work. In all of these examples, you will learn to see the use of stanzas as a way of clarifying the development of the ideas and images in your poems, as well as improving the dynamic movement of your work.
There will be opportunities for you to discuss and revise poems you have already written in terms of their use of stanzas, as well prompts to create new work in response to the stanza forms employed by other poets. Although there is no right way to use stanzas, this course will help you to sharpen your poetic craft and find solutions that work for your own poems.
This is a private group. To join you must be a registered site member and request group membership.