Singapore University of Social Sciences

Understanding Poetry

Understanding Poetry (ELT201)

Synopsis

ELT201 Understanding Poetry looks at the beauty and creativity of language in poems. The focus is on reading and understanding poems, experiencing the pleasure of poetry, as well as appreciating the complexity of this art form. ELT201 introduces the sounds, language, structure, and types of poetry, as well as key poetic conventions and traditions. Students will read a range of poems, from conventional to experimental forms, and from historical to the present-day poems. They will also look at poetic creativity and the value of poetry in today’s world.

Level: 2
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: Every semester

Topics

  • What is poetry?
  • Speaker, tone and situation
  • The language of poetry
  • Figurative language
  • Imagery and symbols
  • The sounds of poetry
  • Rhythm and meter
  • Structure of poems
  • Meaning and form
  • Poetic forms and conventions
  • Redefining poetic creativity
  • Judging poetry: What makes a good poem?

Learning Outcome

  • Identify key elements of poetry and explain how they function in poems.
  • Show how poetic language and form produce meaning in poems.
  • Discuss treatment of themes and issues in poems.
  • Assess poems through critical analysis of their literary features.
  • Examine the thematic and stylistic effects of key poetic conventions and forms in in poems.
  • Compare treatment of themes and issues in poems.
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