Welcome to P-Day!

When we were planning the course after Christmas, a suggestion which came from more than one group was the study of poetry.

So welcome to P-Day! It would appear that poetry is a very universal means of expression. It appears in every language and culture in one shape or another.

It goes back to the ancient languages of Greece and Rome; yet it is still with us today...

By the way don't forget... At nine O'clock we will meet up all of those who missed the job interview..

Make sure you have hard copies of your CV, covering letter and job interview questions

Back to our poetry. The first relevant question must be to ask ourselves is:
"What is the point in studying poetry?"

Check out the following website:
http://www.virtualsalt.com/usefulpoetry.html

In small groups discuss which of Robert Harris's arguments seem most relevant (if any!).

The second question ought to be:
How can we study poetry?

Have a look at:
http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/

Here you will even find my favourite poet- Gerard Manley Hopkins.

Look at any of the poems/poets mentioned.

What aspects of the poems do they concentrate on?
Why do you think this is?

Our next stage is to look at some poems.

Use the following resource:

http://poetry.about.com/od/poems/u/readpoems.htm

You can choose 2 different paths-

Decide in your small group if you will:

i) look at one of the theme poem collections

 OR

ii)  choose one of the collections of classic poems.

Read some poems and discuss them.


Finally
Look at some of the poetic forms described on the website and try your hand at writing your own poem.

Hope you have an enjoyable experience!