Writing Metrical Poetry: Contemporary Lessons for Mastering Traditional Forms

In this contemporary guide, you'll learn how to write metrical poetry in all the major forms, from blank verse and quatrains to sonnets and villanelles. Each chapter provides step-by-step instruction that's accessible and easy to understand for even the most beginning poet.

This book includes unique features difficult to find anywhere else:

• Essential but non-intimidating instruction on meter and rhyme
• Focused assignments detailing how to make your first attempt at a specific form
• Illuminating discussions on pop culture, figures of speech, difficult themes, and other important topics
• An engaging overview of poetry's history, and why it's important to learn the traditional forms

Complementing the instruction are many classic and contemporary poems, including recent work by Richard Wilbur, Wendy Cope, X.J. Kennedy, Dana Gioia, Rachel Hadas, Wyatt Prunty, Alicia Stallings, and many others.

Writing Metrical Poetry is the perfect course in metrical poetry for the person working alone or working in the classroom.

Writing Metrical Poetry heralds a return to prominence for formal verse-

* sonnets, ballads, blank verse and other forms—with a contemporary, accessible voice. It stands apart from other coverage of the subject on all fronts:

* Clear, unintimidating explanations from a recognized master of metrical poetry

* Instruction illustrated with work from today's leading poets—Seamus Heaney, Dana Gioia, W.S. Merwin, Richard Wilbur and others

* The only up-to-date guide to writing metrical poetry on the market

The popular voice and systematic, building-block approach make the book ideal for both the lone poet and the eager student.