A generative class through Writing Workshops. In this class, students will work on improving their language skills through reading modern poets. They will apply these ideas through prompts and leave this generative class with 5-6 potential new stories.

Out of all aspects of narrative, the one that continuously evolves is language. How a writer employs words and syntax forms the core of their personal literary style.

It is easy for writers to fall into patterns with the way they use language. When that happens, writing can become a frustrating exercise. However, a continuous diet of poetry can keep a writer thinking about language, shake them from their patterns, and in the end, inspire them towards more innovative, varied language.

The primary goal of this course is to examine current poetry and inspire students to create new work with language as the starting point. This is a generative class. Every week, students will read two poems from selected writers and write a creative prompt based on their styles.

Along the way, we’ll talk about the elements of style: imagery, metaphor, syntax, rhythm, and enjambment. We’ll look at how poetry can create minimalist and maximalist writing. Though this is a generative course, the teacher and students will provide in-class feedback on student writing and offer perspectives on where students can take their pieces.