Poetry Group

Writing poetry is a solitary endeavor… Are you looking for feedback on your poems? You are invited to join the Poetry Group at NWPL for sharing and critique. We’ll meet the first and third Monday of each month at 4 pm for about an hour and a half beginning on September 18.

What does it mean to critique something? According to the Oxford Dictionary, “noun: critique: a detailed analysis and assessment of something, especially a literary, philosophical, or political theory.” Britannica Dictionary’s definition is “a careful judgment in which you give your opinion about the good and bad parts of something (such as a piece of writing or a work of art).”

How do you critique a poem? Billy Collins suggested “5 Things to Consider When Analyzing Poetry in an online ‘MasterClass’ post:

“Poetry involves different elements like language, rhythm, and structure. Together, they tell a story and create a complexity that is unique to poetic verse. When studying poems in-depth, look at these individual elements:

1. Theme: Poetry often conveys a message through figurative language. The central idea and the subject matter can reveal the underlying theme of a poem.
2. Language: From word choice to imagery, language creates the mood and tone of a poem. The way language is arranged also impacts the rhythm of a poem.
3. Sound and rhythm: The syllabic patterns and stresses create the metrical pattern of a poem.
4. Structure: The framework of a poem’s structure affects how it is meant to be read. A poet sculpts their story around stanzas, line breaks, rhyme patterns, punctuation, and pauses.
5. Context: The who, what, where, when, and why of a poem can help explain its purpose. Look at these elements to discover the context of a poem.”

This group is open to all; RSVP is appreciated. Please email programs@normanwilliams.org.