Course

Introduction to Writing Poetry

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Creative Writing
Course code
CRWR 1101
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
20
Method(s) of instruction
Tutorial
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course concentrates on the process of writing poetry. Students will draw from their individual experiences to create poems that are clear, arresting and well-crafted. Students will develop an ear for the musicality and resonance of language, a clear sense of image, and a consideration of audience. Poems written by students will be read and discussed by the instructor and students in a workshop.
Course content

Selected poems from published texts.

Students’ manuscripts.

Learning activities

Classes will be conducted in the workshop format. The following may be combined with the workshop:

  • lectures and discussions
  • small group work
  • assigned reading and class presentations
  • interviews with instructor
  • exercises
  • recitations
Means of assessment

At least ten poems submitted and revised throughout the term will constitute 60% of the grade. At least one of the poems must be in a traditional form, such as sonnet, sestina or villanelle. Other evaluations may include class participation, in-class assignments; report on a book of poems, or a presentation of a memorized poem.

Students are required to attend 80% of the workshops. A student missing more than 20% of the workshops without receiving prior permission from the instructor will receive a 0 mark for participation. Leaving after the break is considered half an absence.

Learning outcomes

General Objectives:

The student will transform his or her experiences and insights into appropriate poetic form and language. The student will develop a poetic voice by adapting recognized forms and structures to his or her own expression. The student will produce poetry to be presented to the class for discussion and suggestions for revision.

Specific Objectives:

Pre-writing:

  1. The student will consider personal experience and learn how this material can be used to create a poem.
  2. The student will develop an understanding of poetic techniques through classroom exercises.

Writing:

  1. The student will learn to manipulate tone, movement, and imagery in order to produce a complete poem.
  2. The student will recognize a variety of poetic forms and learn to use these forms in his or her own poems, where appropriate.
  3. The student will learn to develop writing habits consistent with the production of quality written work.
  4. Over the term, the student will produce poetry that shows a growth in his or her understanding and rendering of poetic form and expression.

Reading:

  1. The student will learn to read the work of published poets to discover how poets use form, imagery and style as an aid to expression.
  2. The student will learn to adapt and use the poetic techniques he or she discovers in published works of poetry.
  3. By reading his or her work aloud in the classroom, the student will develop the critical skills necessary to judge the effectiveness of his or her poetry.

Revising:

  1. The student will learn to recognize the value of revision as an essential part of the writing process and will revise his or her work to its full potential.
  2. By participating in the workshop, the student will evaluate critical suggestions from the instructor and his or her peers, and incorporate these into the revised poems, where suitable.
Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

A text that includes representative selections from traditional and modern poetry, such as The New Oxford Book of Canadian Verse in English ed. Margaret Atwood; and/or a contemporary literary journal, such as Event; and/or 15 Canadian Poets x 2 (ed. Gary Geddes).

Requisites

Prerequisites

Any College entrance Language Proficiency Requirement with the exceptions of the Douglas College Course Options in ELLA or ENGU and the assessments listed below. These require the specified higher standard for entry into CMNS, CRWR and ENGL courses.
• a minimum grade of C- in ELLA 0460, or a minimum grade of C- in both ELLA 0465 and 0475, OR
• a minimum grade of C- in ENGU 0450 or ENGU 0455 or ENGU 0490, OR
• Mastery in ELLA 0330 and any two of ELLA 0310, 0320, or 0340, OR
• TOEFL overall score of 83 with a minimum of 21 in Writing, OR
• IELTS overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0; for individual bands below 6.0:
       • if in Speaking, ELLA 0210 required
       • if in Reading or Listening, ELLA 0220 required
       • if in Writing, ELLA 0230 and ELLA 0240 required
OR
• CLB score of 8, OR
• CEFR level B2+, OR
• CAEL minimum overall and essay score of 70 (computer or paper based), OR
• recognized equivalent or exemption.

Corequisites

Courses listed here must be completed either prior to or simultaneously with this course:

  • No corequisite courses

Equivalencies

Courses listed here are equivalent to this course and cannot be taken for further credit:

  • No equivalency courses

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for CRWR 1101
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU ENGL 290 (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) COTR CRWT 1XX (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU CRWR 1XXX (3)
Langara College (LANG) LANG ENGL 2266 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU GE 1XX (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU ENGL 1XXX (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU ENGL 1XX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO ARTS_O 1st (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV CRWR_V 2nd (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC ENGL 1XX (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV ENGL 1XX (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC WRIT 1XX (1.5)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU CREW 110 (3)

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
20
Currently enrolled
20
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
16
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1806
Times:
Start Time
9:30
-
End Time
12:20
CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
20
Currently enrolled
20
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
7
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1806
Times:
Start Time
18:30
-
End Time
21:20
CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
20
Currently enrolled
19
Remaining seats:
1
On waitlist
13
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2030
Times:
Start Time
9:30
-
End Time
12:20