You Can Write Poetry

by Jeff Mock

Poetry''s forms, styles and structures are illustrated through the work of Shakespeare, e.e. cummings, Tim Geiger and others. These poems, and dozens of hands on practice sessions, will inspire readers to experiment with language, and write poetry.'

Genres: Poetry, Writing, Nonfiction, Language

Paperback

First published March 31, 1999

Reviews

[Kenneth Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

'There is blessing in this gentle book ...' In this wonderful book, the author provides detailed explanation of common poetic forms; and the nuts and bolts of composing poem. Comparing with other poetry writing books, this books is interesting to read, and there are enough examples to almost be read as an anthology with an insightful introduction.
And the exercises are an superb source of inspirations.

[Kylen Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will expose you to good exercises, good poems, and the good vocabulary to discuss them, but otherwise it doesn't offer much to anyone who's spent any time online reading about how to write poetry. This will be my last book on writing, all the advice is mostly the same: write a lot, read a lot. It is a fun read, and Jeff Mock is an entertaining and clever writer. 4/5 stars

[Mechelle Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I stumbled upon it at the library. Reading this book was like attending a college-level poetry class. It helped me understand the mechanics of poetry and, at the end of each chapter, offered me a chance to practice what I learned. The author made learning fun for me. I purchased a copy from Thrift Books. Recommend.

[Helfren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good reference on poetry writing that I really like. Read it if you're serious to write poem.

[Ekaterina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this to get some ideas for my poetry unit in 7th grade - of course, it's more applicable to adult poets, but I still got a good tip or two!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeffrey Mock, a professor of creative writing at Southern Connecticut State University, shows the budding poet the key to “making art of what you do.” Chapters 1 through 3 explain the nature of poetry and the poet’s work as well as the pleasure and illumination of reading poems. Part One or Chapters 4 and 5 discuss the nature of language and the effects of words—“the straightforward, the subtle and the sly; imagery, painting with words” as well as an aside on the necessity of writing well and correctly. Chapters 6 through 8 instruct figures of speech, devices of sound, rhyme, and meter can be tapped into for the stanza, traditional forms of poetry, and free verse. The final chapters 9 through 11 offer advice on first drafts and explain how to eventually prepare them for submissions to magazines. A Glossary gives definitions of poetic terms.

[Cynthia K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to poetry for readers but especially for aspiring writers. Mock uses a variety of examples to illustrate different poetic forms/techniques/styles. The writing exercises build on the content of each chapter and I can't wait to tackle more of them. I borrowed this from the library but now I want to purchase my own copy so I can return to it again and again.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone wishing to write poetry. It breaks everything down on how all the different poem types are constructed. Very interesting even if you just like poetry.

[Val · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible, horrible, horrible.

[Acer Pseudoplantatus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction with some great adivice. It could have had more on meter and forms, though.