Intro: Short Poetry Forms

Say so much in so few words! It is more difficult than it first appears. The short poetry forms are among the most favorite of writers and readers on the FanStory site.

My style of teaching is facilitative and constructivist. I will be pulling out your own knowledge to share in a learning community. My preference is a two hour class on Monday afternoons, PST, with a short break - one class per week for four weeks to allow for good dialogue and community building and plenty of time for digestion of material and working on assignments.

Week One:

Why are short poetry forms so attractive to both the writer and the reader? How does one provide a "punch" in just a few words? Where do poetic devices fit in? And not?

Yes, there is syllable count. How does it fit into different forms? What else matters in these itty bitty poems?

An introduction to a variety of fun forms beyond the 5-7-5.

Assignment: Visit a recommended website and write a poem in poem in one of the suggested forms to be reviewed by classmates and posted after revisions on the FanStory website.

Week Two:

Discussion of submitted poems. Questions about the short poetry forms discussed in Week One. Extension of understanding about the forms and various poetry devices. An understanding of iambic and anapestic meters?

Assignment: Edit your first submission and write a second submission for review by classmates and posting on FanStory.

Week Three:

A peek into the world of tanka and haiku. No, they are not capitalized. Centuries-old forms, they bring concrete seasonal images to life in the minds of the readers. What is a kigo? Why does the syllable count NOT defer to 5-7-5? What are the essential elements of these beautiful forms?

Assignment: Write a haiku and extend it into a tanka. Classmates review, edit and post on FanStory.

Week Four:

A peek into the world of senryu and kyoka. Again, they are not capitalized. How do these centuries-old forms differ from haiku and tanka? Love dry wit, satire and humor? You'll love these forms of poetry. We'll also discuss what can come next!



Instructor: Susan Campion

About The Instructor: Susan Galletti Campion has been published in multiple education journals and books as well as several poetry anthologies. She was the Editor of Schools in the Middle magazine for five years, as the Associate Executive Director of the largest professional organization of middle and high school principals in the world (NASSP). In that capacity, she also provided professional development to principals in over 34 states and understands and appreciates constructivist teaching, facilitation, and the positives of creating a learning community. Susan holds a Doctorate degree from the University of Washington and majored in English at San Diego State University. Susan facilitated the creation of the ground-breaking book of senryu, kyoka and haiga entitled Pieces of Her Mind, working with women writers from around the world. She is a recognized poet on FanStory and received the trophy as the Top 5 Poet in 2010.