Poetry: The Basics

The Basics

by Jeffrey Wainwright

How do I read a poem? Do I really understand poetry?
This comprehensive guide demystifies the world of poetry, exploring poetic forms and traditions which can at first seem bewildering. Showing how any reader can gain more pleasure from poetry, it looks at the ways in which poetry interacts with the language we use in our everyday lives and explores how poems use language and form to create meaning.
Drawing on examples ranging from Chaucer to children's rhymes, Cole Porter to Carol Ann Duffy, and from around the English-speaking world, it looks at aspects including:

* How technical aspects such as rhythm and measures work
* How different tones of voice affect a poem
* How poetic language relates to everyday language
* How different types of poetry work, from sonnets to free verse
* How the form and "space" of a poem contributes to its meaning

Poetry: The Basics is an invaluable and easy to read guide for anyone wanting to get to grips with reading and writing poetry.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Writing, Academic, Literary Criticism, Criticism, Philosophy

264 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 2004

Reviews

[Rebecca Alcazaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be taught poetry and Enlightenment Studies by Mr Wainwright and I found this book pretty life saving as a first year English student. He was an inspirational tutor and is a magnificent poet. If you want to brush up on poetic conventions then this book is a must have addition to your library.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent basic primer of poetic terminology, composition and exploration of the pleasure and potency of poetry. I'll likely be dipping back into this when reading poetry in the future in case I need to remember what a rondel is.

It also includes a challenge, of sorts, to those interested in writing poetry themselves, and did so in such a way that almost made me want to start writing. Not yet, though. I've only recently started writing fiction and I'm not yet at the level where I'm willing to write under my own name, so I'm certainly not comfortable or confident enough to try and create poetry. To those who might have less qualms with me, this book could be very useful. If nothing else, it has a great selection of quotes and I'm interested in reading more of about 80% of every poet mentioned here.

[Therese L. Broderick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superlative! The first book ABOUT poetry that I've ever read authored by a British Isles writer. The many felicities and delicious surprises of this King's English perspective make me want to start reading many more primers published by "foreigners." For example, consider this gem: Poetry can be described as the presence of words whenever those words "are most themselves." As another example, read the entry for "Naturalization" in the Glossary. One caution: this book may qualify as "the basics" within the Blessed Realm of Shakespeare, but it is perhaps too sophisticated for those USA readers who are genuinely seeking a novice-level introduction.

[verbava · Rating 4 out of 5]

хороший вступ до поезії – такий, знаєте, який не намагається авторитетно сказати, що таке поезія, а старанно описує, яка вона може бути. найприємніші тут приклади: для кожної проблеми є різні точки зору, для кожної формальної особливості – історичне розмаїття.

[Kyle Macleod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the other introduction to poetry I read this week. This one had some fun examples, and the author’s obvious enthusiasm for communicating what he loves about his subject is contagious.

[Pierre Sotér · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful book for those that like to read and write poetry. And specially for those that are starting to have an interest in poetry.

[Sofie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as beginner friendly as many claim this to be

[PJ Evans]

Like to think I'm a little beyond basics level at this point, but good for teaching and filled me in on some contemporary practice

[Ruby Saggers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really useful book assigned for my poetry module, I enjoyed reading through this.

[Saffron Irons · Rating 3 out of 5]

thanks jeff

[Stephanie Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reference and very informative. It has served me as a supportive companion to the work shops I have attended and has helped to slot the evolution pieces of poetry's diverse history much more neatly into place. I think it's undersold by the title: 'The Basics.'

[محمد عبادة · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly illuminating when it comes to the dynamics of the English verse .. & truly deserves to be honored as a reference ..