Writing in Meter-101

This is a basic level class for poets wanting to learn how to write in metered verse, or to improve their metered verse skills. The course focuses on how to write in iambic pentameter and trochaic pentameter. Writing in metrical form is both a science and an art. Thus, there is a heavy emphasis on reading and writing each week. This allows the student to begin to understand the mechanics of meter in action as well as begin to feel the rhythmic flow of meter, or the da DUMs. After all, the best way to learn a poetic form is to write in it.

In this class, we will study the basic rules of writing in metrical form and how to determine which syllables are stressed and unstressed. The focus will be on strict meter with the only variation allowed being feminine verse in iambic meter. The theory here is once one learns and understands how to write in the strict metrical form, he/she is then ready to experiment with metrical substitution.

The class will be interactive with students participating in classroom discussions as well as reading and reviewing each other's homework. It is through an interactive process that students learn best.

The course consist of eight (8) hours of class time. There will be four (8) class sessions with each lasting one (1) hour.

Classes are scheduled as follows:
Sunday, 9 August
Wednesday, 12 August
Sunday, 16 August
Wednesday, 19 August
Sunday, 23 August
Wednesday, 26 August
Sunday, 30 August
Wednesday, 2 September

The time for the class will be finalized as input is received from students. Generally speaking, the classes would be held somewhere between 4 pm to 9 pm Eastern Daylight Time. The Wednesday date is flexible and can be changed to either a Tuesday or Thursday.

Week 1: The What and How

In the first session, we will spend a little time getting to know each other and will explore the basics about writing in metrical form. We?ll discuss the advantages of writing in meter vs. not.

We will discuss the elements of writing in iambic pentameter and how to ensure one is not writing in the vernacular vs. standard English. We will discuss how to utilize enjambment as a means to further enhance writing in metrical form.

Students will submit a poem between 4 and 8 lines that he/she has written that is not in iambic meter. The task will be to rewrite the poem so that it is iambic pentameter compliant.

Week 2: Reading and Writing in Iambic Pentameter

This week we will focus on reading poems written by fellow FanStorians and well recognized published poets that are written in iambic meter. This helps reinforce the mechanics and art of meter and prepares the student to begin effective metrical writing. This week the student will also learn how to utilize feminine verse in iambic pentameter.


Week 3: Understanding Trochaic Pentameter

Trochaic meter is the brother of iambic meter. Rather than having a metrical pattern of da DUM, trochaic meter?s pattern begins with DUM da. As will our study of iambic meter in week 1, our study this week will be to understand the mechanics and art of trochaic meter. Trochaic meter reading and writing will be heavily emphasized this week.

Week 4: Using What We?ve Learned

The emphasis in this week will be to review what we have learned about these two metrical forms as well as writing a major poem in each form. The goal here is for students to be able to write two contest-ready poems. The student will choose the poetic forms in which he/she wishes to write. For example, sonnet, quatrains, minute poem, etc.



Instructor: Ray Griffin

About The Instructor: Ray earned his BA, with honors in a double major in history and political science and a minor in German (4 hours short of a third major) from Atlantic Christian College, now Barton. He earned his MA in public administration with a minor in city and regional planning, with honors, from North Carolina State University. He has also taken post-graduate work at the University of Virginia and University of Oklahoma-Norman in high performance organization results and economic development; respectively.

After graduation, and during his tenure in local government management, he served as an adjunct professor of Political Science at Webster University and University of North Carolina-Pembroke.

Ray has been writing poetry for many decades as well as specialized, technical writing. He has written three comprehensive genealogy/family history books and has had senryu published in Prune Juice, an on-line poetry magazine. He has also published many Chap Books featuring his favorite poetry. Ray writes extensively in blank verse, tanka and Shakespearean sonnet poetic forms. These are his favorite poetic forms in which to write, particularly blank verse. Ray has been an active member, poet and member of FanStory since 2009.