What makes a poem a poem? It’s about so much more than words on a page. The structure of a line, the length of a stanza and even the blank space can hold and reveal meaning, themes and possibilities beyond the confines of ink.
In this intimate and practical weekend masterclass with the poet Ella Frears, you will explore the fundamentals of poetry and the poetic form. Through the close reading and discussion of poems, you’ll get to grips with line breaks, structure, voice and language, digging into and demystifying the techniques that give them their poetic flare. Under Ella’s expert guidance, you’ll be given space and encouragement to play and produce new works of your own.
This is a masterclass for poets and aspiring poets who wish to build confidence in their voice and creative process. Intensive yet playful and highly creative, you’ll leave with a fresh perspective on your work and the tools to take your poetry to the next level.
This course is for …
Beginner to intermediate poets who want to build confidence in their voice and creative process
Anyone interested in learning more about poetic form to help enrich their experience in engaging with poetry
Anyone looking for a creative jumpstart to their own writing
Course content
Introduction to poetic form
The fundamental building blocks of form – line breaks, structure, voice and language
In-depth analysis of form
In-class writing and discussion in a highly supportive setting
Tutor profile
Ella Frears’s collection Shine, Darling (Offord Road Books, 2020) was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection and the T. S. Eliot Prize for Poetry. Ella is a trustee and editor for Magma poetry magazine and has been poet in residence for Tate Britain, the National Trust, Royal Holloway University physics department and the John Hansard Gallery, among others.
Ella works at the intersection of poetry and visual art; mentoring visual artists who use text, as well as working across media herself. She was recently named the first ever poet in residence for the Dartington Trust Gardens and is a Royal Literary Fellow at the Courtauld Insitute of Art.
She hosts Tears for Frears, a quarterly show on Soho Radio about the moments – big, small and unexpected – that move us to tears.
Details
Date: Saturday 21 October – Sunday 22 October 2023
Time: 2pm-5pm both days (BST)
Price: £249 (plus £7.80 booking fee)
Course capacity: 25
A catch-up recording will be shared after the class and will be available for two weeks.
This masterclass is available globally. See this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.
2pm BST | 3pm CEST | 6am PDT | 9am EDT
You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 30 minutes before the course start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you do not receive the access link 24 hours before the scheduled start time.
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Returns policy
Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
