An Introduction to Poetry Course
An Introduction to Poetry
Master the Skills that Poets Use
Discover your own poetic style and voice in a safe, supportive learning environment
The Introduction to Poetry Course will take you on a creative journey, from the very first step of putting your thoughts and feelings down on paper to penning a complete and polished poem. If you have already dabbled in poetry, we will help you take the next step: getting your work published.
Whether your goal is to see your name in print, share your poems with someone special, or just write to get something off your chest, we’ll help you transform your ideas into engaging and accomplished poetry.
The Introduction to Poetry Course Gives You...
No Automated Marking
We use traditional methods of assessing work, as editors at publishing houses would. No generic feedback!
A Flexible Schedule
Work wherever and whenever you want. You can easily fit our courses around work and other commitments.
Relevant, Usable Content
Easy-to-digest course notes that capture a lifetime of writing experience, ready for you to apply to your own writing.
Ongoing Assessment
Your writing is assessed continuously as your course progresses.
Expert, Individual Feedback
Get prompt, honest, detailed feedback on every assignment from an award-winning writer. We focus on your unique writing strengths.
No Peer Reviews!
You will only be assessed by your tutor, a leader in their field. No more guessing and wondering how to write; you'll be guided line by line.
Explore Your
Poetic Voice
The best way to develop your poetic craft
Work one-to-one with an award-winning poet who will guide you each step of the way, from poetic novice to confident practitioner. Discover the basic concepts and principles of poetry and how to apply them to your work.
Your well-qualified, experienced tutor will guide you through this entertaining, easy-to-understand course, with practical tips on finding inspiration and editing your work to a professional standard. You will also get the opportunity to explore examples of well-written contemporary poetry.
A lot of enjoyable writing practice will ensure you grow as a poet and improve your style.
By the end of the course, you’ll have more writing confidence, as well as five complete poems.
Explore Your
Poetic Voice
The best way to develop your poetic craft
Work one-to-one with an award-winning poet who will guide you each step of the way, from poetic novice to confident practitioner. Discover the basic concepts and principles of poetry and how to apply them to your work.
Your well-qualified, experienced tutor will guide you through this entertaining, easy-to-understand course, with practical tips on finding inspiration and editing your work to a professional standard. You will also get the opportunity to explore examples of well-written contemporary poetry.
A lot of enjoyable writing practice will ensure you grow as a poet and improve your style.
By the end of the course, you’ll have more writing confidence, as well as five complete poems.
‘I had a great time on the course and produced the best writing I have ever done. My experience was profound and therapeutic. I learnt simple yet valuable ways to move from journaling to writing actual poetry.’
Cindy Jordaan, Introduction to Poetry Course
Course Overview
COURSE FEE
£ 495
Price includes VAT
NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS
15
The assignments vary in length.
NUMBER OF MODULES
4
These modules include around 65 pages of course notes.
COURSE DURATION
6
Work at your own pace – up to a maximum of six months.
START DATE: ANYTIME
Working with an individual tutor means you can start the course at any time.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Basic writing skills are essential.
- Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required.
- No previous tertiary qualification required.
Our Graduate Students' Successes
We are proud of our graduates who have achieved success. Here are a few among dozens of our creative writing success stories.
Tutor for this Course
Arja Salafranca
Arja Salafranca has been a writer and journalist for over 20 years. She was the lifestyle and arts editor on The Sunday Independent from 2003 to 2016.
She has published three collections of poetry, A Life Stripped of Illusions, which received the Sanlam Award for poetry and The Fire in Which We Burn. Her third poetry collection is Beyond Touch (Modjaji Books/Dye Hard Press 2015), a co-winner in the poetry category of the South African Literary Awards in 2016. Her fiction has been published in local and international journals and anthologies, as well as online. Her debut collection of short fiction, The Thin Line, was published in 2010 (Modjaji Books) and short-listed for the Wole Soyinka Award. She has also edited two anthologies, Glass Jars Among Trees and The Edge of Things.
She holds an MA in Creative Writing from Wits University.
Course Curriculum
Module 1
- Where do poets find their inspiration?
- Line length and line breaks
- Assignments
Module 2
Figures of Speech in Poetry
- Why we use figures of speech
- Understanding metaphors, similes and poetic devices
- Assignments
Module 3
Rhythm and Rhyme
- Must a poem rhyme?
- Understanding rhythm
- Using assonance, consonance, alliteration and other sound effects
- Assignments
Module 4
Understanding Mood and Tone
- Understanding mood and tone
- Identifying tone
- Figurative language and mood
- Assignments
This course offers an advanced course option
What Our Students Say
Get These Additional Benefits
Lifetime Course Access
Benefit from free lifetime access to future course updates and access to our writing resources.
Work at Your Own Pace
Our courses work around you. You can pace your course around your busy life.
500+ Bonus Articles on Our Blog
A superb, constantly updated resource with articles on writing and interviews with writers.
Work Opportunities
Top students are invited to join our writers and editors for hire service.
Be the First to Know About Writing Competitions
We'll help you keep up to date with the latest competition announcements
Join a Community of Writers
You will have access to our friendly Facebook community, daily writing tips and writing inspiration.
Risk-Free 100% Money-Back Guarantee
We are so confident that you will love your course that if you’re not 100% satisfied with the quality of our training, simply ask for a refund within 30 days.
Complete the Application Form to Enrol on the Introduction to Poetry Course
You will receive an approval email and invoice within one working day.
Should your form not submit, please let admin know at admin@ukwriterscollege.co.uk
Questions?
We've Got Answers
The course consists of four modules. Detailed course notes covering the content of each module will be emailed to you.
At the end of each section, you will be required to complete several writing exercises.
Absolutely. You have direct communication with your tutor for the duration of the course. The more questions you ask, the more you will get out of the course.
You will get lifetime access to the course. You will also benefit from future updates and improvements to the course.
For the majority of our courses, only your tutor will see your work. It will remain completely private unless you get it published. The journalism courses might see your work published in the public domain, but you do have the final say as to whether or not this happens.
You will receive a Writers College Certificate upon successful completion of the course, provided you meet the following conditions:
- You must have completed all 15 assignments.
- The course must have been completed within six months of registration.
- A minimum average of 50% for the course must be achieved.
- Proficiency in the English language.
- Basic computer skills as well as email and Internet access are required.
- No previous tertiary qualification is required.
Because you will work with an individual tutor, you can start your course as soon as your application has been approved. There are no specific start dates as would be the case with a traditional college.
An application is usually approved within one working day. Once we receive proof of payment, your can start your course.
You could be starting your course today!
This course requires ongoing informal research. You will read poetry and journals to discover what moves your poetic spirit. Hopefully, this ‘research’ will become an ongoing pleasure that nourishes your writing for life.
Additionally, there is the discipline of writing and reflection on the process of writing. A poet cannot wait for the muse. The muse waits for the poet. When you write, the muse shows up. Inspiration can be sought and achieved even when you are feeling uninspired. Because regular writing and rewriting is integral to the process of writing poetry, the course is designed in such a way that one module takes one month to complete.
After studying each module, the exercises should take an hour or two per week to complete. Ideally, you should spend ten minutes a day writing in a poetry journal, a portion of which will be submitted in your final portfolio.
Once your application has been approved, you will receive notification of approval and an invoice via email. As soon as we receive proof of payment, the first module as well as your tutor’s email address and your login details will be sent to you. Your tutor will also be in touch to welcome you.
Any work created on our courses is owned by you. We will never make a claim to anything you produce. We follow the rule that copyright subsists with the creator (you).