The Poetry Kit |
Workshops |
Poetry Kits unique range of poetry and other courses available for anyone with an internet connection.
All courses are taken at your own speed with the suport and help of a personal tutor.
Voted by Poetry Superhighway readers "Best Online Poetry Resource"
"...a full range of interesting and challenging courses." Lit Training
From the newsletter of the NZ Poetry Society. - My Poetry Kit Experience
"Jim Bennett knows his poetry, that is clear. He has a relaxed, easy manner and provides feedback that is productive, encouraging and confidence building.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course, from start to finish, so much so that I have now enrolled in 'Poetry 2'." JS
"I have learned so much from you, I really appreciate everything you have taught me. I feel I've grown so much as a poet."
CG (Pt2 Course)"I have learnt a lot from this course, ... I feel that I am better able to structure my poetry, and give it more focus." IC (Pt1 Course)
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INDEX TO COURSES AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR - MONTHLY START DATES |
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ONLINE POETRY COURSES |
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| Foundation | A basic course suitable for those looking for an introduction to writing poetry. |
| Poetry 1 | A course in reading and writing poetry. For the poets who want to develop their skills. |
| Poetry 2 | A course in advanced writing skills. A course to help a skilled poet improve still further. |
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POETRY CRITIQUE SERVICE |
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| Critique - 1 poem | An introductory offer to introduce this service. |
| Critique - 10 poems | A personal critique service. |
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SPECIALIST STUDIES |
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| Shakespeare | A look at the poetry of William Shakespeare |
| Bob Dylan | An in depth look at the lyrics and techniques used by Bob Dylan |
All courses start at regular intervals.
Sign up for course news or for more information courses@poetrykit.org
Poetry Foundation
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Next course start date |
1st Monday in each Month |
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Following start date |
3rd Monday in each month |
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Duration - 7 units - email based sessions and guided study. The Course - This foundation course in writing poetry takes the participant through some of the basic processes of writing poetry with lots of practical examples and writing exercises. The purpose of the course is to allow the participant to explore many aspects of writing poetry and to introduce them to a wider reading and understanding. The course will look at modern free form poetry and several set forms including the sonnet. This course has been introduced to enable those who are relatively new to poetry to develop their skill and to learn more about contemporary poetry. Qualifications required - People wishing to take this course do not require any previous qualifications, they do however need to have an interest in the craft of writing poetry and a determination to improve their writing and produce successful poems. Fee - The course fee is £50 (UK£) The Course Tutor - The course is presented by Jim Bennett who is a highly experienced lecturer having delivered courses in creative writing for the University of Liverpool, Edge Hill University and for the WEA. Jim is a full time professional poet who earns his living from writing poetry and lecturing. He has won many awards over a forty year writing carer. For more information about see an interview and his publishers page. For further information email - courses@poetrykit.org |
Poetry 1
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Next course start date |
1st Monday in each Month |
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Following start date |
3rd Monday in each month |
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The Course - This course in writing poetry takes the participant through some of the basic processes of writing poetry in an entertaining and interesting way. Through a series of set exercises, discussions and critique sessions, backed up with talks, notes and feedback. The purpose of the course is to allow the participant to build their skills of observation and clarity of language while at the same time allowing their individual voice and technique to develop. Through an integrated use of internet technology each course builds into a small community of poets who learn in a supportive and challenging environment, learning to give and take critique. The course looks at a variety of styles and forms of poetry which will allow the participant to build a sound knowledge of some of the technical terms while utilising them in a practical and interesting way. The course includes elements relating to preparing and submitting poems for publication, reading poems and presenting them in a live setting, revising poetry and editing.
Qualifications required - People wishing to take this course do not require any previous qualifications, they do however need to have an interest in the craft of writing poetry and a determination to improve their writing and produce successful poems.
Fee - The course fee is £75 (UK£)
The Course Tutor - The course is presented by Jim Bennett who is a highly experienced lecturer having delivered courses in creative writing for the University of Liverpool, Edge Hill University and for the WEA. Jim is a full time professional poet who earns his living from writing poetry and lecturing. He has won many awards over a forty year writing carer. For more information about see an interview and his publishers page.
For further information email - courses@poetrykit.org |
Poetry 2
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Next course start date |
2nd Monday in each Month |
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Following start date |
4th Monday in each month |
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The Course - This course in writing poetry takes the participant on from the point of Poetry 1 and is intended for those with some experience at writing and who wish to develop their skills further. The objectives of the course are achieved through exercises designed to introduce new concepts in writing and stretch the participant, discussions and critique sessions, backed up with talks, notes, support and feedback. The purpose of the course is to allow the participant to build their skills of observation and clarity of language while at the same time allowing their individual voice and technique to develop. The course looks at a variety of styles and forms of poetry which will allow the participant to build a sound knowledge of some of the technical terms while utilising them in a practical and interesting way. The course includes elements relating to preparing and submitting poems for publication, reading poems and presenting them in a live setting, revising poetry and editing.
Qualifications required - People wishing to take this course do not require any previous qualifications, they do however need to be able to identify themselves as writers with some experience. Those who have previously taken the Poetry Kit Poetry 1 course will find this a natural development.
Fee - The course fee is £85 (UK£)
The Tutor - The course is presented by Jim Bennett who is a highly experienced lecturer having delivered courses in creative writing for the University of Liverpool, Edge Hill University and for the WEA. Jim is a full time professional poet who earns his living from writing poetry and lecturing. He has won many awards over a forty year writing carer. For more information see an interview and his publishers page.
For further information email - courses@poetrykit.org |
Critique
| Next course start date | Ongoing |
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The Critique Service - Critique and close reading of up to 10 poems (some limitation in respect of word and line length may mean this figure is reduced if the poems are longer) This is an individual critique service available from Jim Bennett, allowing those using the service to send 10 poems and have them individually critiqued by Jim who is an internationally known, prize-winning poet. By sending poems over a period of time the participant can use the service to develop their skills and to get feedback on their progress. Fee - The fee for this service is £50 (UK£) INTRODUCTORY OFFER - To get a taster of this service we will critique 1 poem for £5 (only once per client) The Tutor - The critiques are given by Jim Bennett who is a highly experienced lecturer having delivered courses in creative writing for the University of Liverpool, Edge Hill University and for the WEA. Jim is a full time professional poet who earns his living from writing and performing poetry and lecturing. He has won many awards over a forty year writing carer. For more information see an interview and his publishers page. For further information email - courses@poetrykit.org |
The Poetry of Shakespeare
| Course start dates | Monday 20th July 2009 |
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Duration - This 8 session course over 5 weeks takes a look at Shakespeare's writing. We will be particularly interested in exploring Shakespeare's Sonnets and longer poems, but will also look at how poetry is used in some of his plays and the effects achieved. This is also a key course in learning about criticism and reading poetry. Amongst other things we will be looking at close reading and how the writers life is reflected in their art. Qualifications required - People wishing to take this course do not require any previous qualifications, they do however need to be keen on finding our more about Shakespeare and exploring his work. Fee - £55 The Tutors - The course is written and supervised by Jim Bennett who is a highly experienced lecturer having delivered courses in creative writing for the University of Liverpool, Edge Hill University and for the WEA. Jim is a full time professional poet who earns his living from writing and performing poetry and lecturing. He has won many awards over a forty year writing carer. For more information see an interview and his publishers page. The course is delivered by Bill Westron, editor of The Western Magazine and a former Lecturer in Creative Arts and Literary History at New York.. For further information email - courses@poetrykit.org |
The Poetry of Bob Dylan
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Next course start date |
3rd Monday in each Month |
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Duration - This 8 session course takes a look at Bob Dylan's writing. The Course - This 8 session course takes a look at Bob Dylan's writing. We will looking at examples of his writing from periods throughout his career and examining how he uses words to shape the environment of the song, we will also be looking at his influences and the influence he ha had on others. We will also look at his body of work and to try to understand the position he occupies in popular music. Fee £55 Qualifications required - People wishing to take this course do not require any previous qualifications, they do however need to be keen on finding our more about Bob Dylan and exploring his work. The Tutors - The course is written and supervised by Jim Bennett who is a highly experienced lecturer having delivered courses in creative writing for the University of Liverpool, Edge Hill University and for the WEA. Jim is a full time professional poet who earns his living from writing and performing poetry and lecturing. He has won many awards over a forty year writing carer. For more information see an interview and his publishers page. The course is delivered by either Jim Bennett or Bill Westron, editor of The Western Magazine and a former Lecturer in Creative Arts and Literary History at New York.. For further information email - courses@poetrykit.org |
* The duration of the course is approximate and for guidance only. In practice most courses will run over a longer period than stated as this
depends on students turn around time for assignments.