Risking Intensity: Reading and Writing Poetry with High School Students

by Judy Rowe Michaels

Risking Intensity is a book about drawing on the self―to study poetry, to write it, and to share it. Judith Michaels approaches the subject at both the personal and practical levels, opening the world of poetry to her classes through carefully planned strategies. Poems by students and teacher illustrate each topic. We also hear the cadences of published poets―of Keats, Wordsworth, Clifton, Thomas, Komunyakaa, Basho, and others.

188 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was handed this book by a colleague whose recently deceased wife also taught English. He thought that she would want me to have this as I teach creative writing. I started to read it, and I'm hooked. There's a lot of valuable ideas that I can share with my students.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference for teachers and students - the relationship between the author and her students is moving, respectful, personal. But that's not all - great prompts for any poet, even a septuagenarian.