In this introductory course, students will learn the basic vocabulary, forms, and craft elements of poems. Together we’ll explore the possibilities for creating meaning through imagery, metaphor, sound, line, form, voice, and persona, among others. Students will read, listen to, and discuss existing poems, with an emphasis on 20th and 21st century American poetry, and use them as models and inspiration for writing their own. This course will include guided writing exercises and move toward a workshop, in which students will offer both written and verbal feedback on one another’s work, with the instructor’s guidance. By the end of the semester, students will have a final portfolio of revised work.