About workshops

Workshops on Neopoet are groups that meet for a certain period of time to focus on a certain aspect of poetry. Each workshop participant is asked to critique all the other poems submitted into a workshop. A workshop leader helps coordinate -- they set the agenda, give participants feedback on whether their submissions and critique are at they level expected of them, and after the workshop is over, give feedback to participants. 

To join a workshop, first find one that is of interest to you. Once you have found the right workshop (and verified that it is open -- you can find this out in the description below), you can apply to join the workshop.


Join the Neopoet online poetry workshop and community to improve as a writer, meet fellow poets, and showcase your work. Sign up, submit your poetry, and get started.

Critique Quickie

Status: 
Program description/goal: 
Each participant posts their favourite famous poem by a famous poet. Everyone will severely critique each poem, suggesting improvements and challenging premises and assumptions. The participant who posted the poem will then edit/ re-write it.
 
Poems must be really famous, such that there is a good chance everyone will have previously read them, probably un-critically. Please PM me your suggestion for the poem you choose before posting it. We need to check copyright issues and determine that it fits the criteria. Poems should also be under around  200 words, imagine trying to do a re-write of Byron's "Don Juan"! Longer poems will be considered if the concept of critiquing and editing them is feasible.
 
For the first time we will also have workshop chat in the 'First Draft' room. Our time zones may differ but let me know when you would like to meet and I will be there.
 
Please PM me to join this workshop.
Cheers
Jess
 
Leader: Jess [weirdelf]
Moderator(s): Richard [themoonman]
 
Objectives:To develop insight and fearlessness in our critical repertoire.
 
Level of expertise: Shark Pool
 
Length: 
14 days
Number of participants (limit): 
10 people
Skill level: 
Date: 
Friday, November 11, 2011
Short description: 
Each participant will post their favorite ‘famous’ poem. Everyone then will severely critique each poem, suggest improvements, and challenge assumptions. The participant will then rewrite the poem.

Comments

The late great poets were just people, like us,
and many I think would hate where poetry has gone
today, but I believe they would still be writing if they
were here.

Especially racism, sexism and un-questioned political structures like monarchy.

I've seen a feminist production of "Taming of the Shrew" and it was a travesty.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

Well the feminist production of "The taming of the Shrew"
sounds like an interesting take on the story, but I haven't seen
it, was it a play?
Yes, times are much different now, I can imagine that many of
the poets from the past would be thrilled with being able to write
exactly what they want, for the most part anyway. There are still
places in the world where a poets freedom depends on him/her
towing the line.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

well, that was interesting.... That couldn't have been american english though! lol.

It was almost as though it were still in old mold! LOL
I guess Aussie is really another language. Oi !

I totally agree that most of the poems of the last 50 to a 100 yrs. can be transformed, with a touch of the 21st century. The mores and structure of the political or social scene are not as relevant as they were when most of them were written. Let's give it a go! ~ Gee

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

is British Skinhead dialect.

Hey it would be interesting to do some Chaucer too, eh!

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

that my friends was a feeble attempt at a classic valley girl accent. lol. chaucer would be super swag.

Hope there's still room for another participant as I would love to do some BLAKE!
Great workshop!
Thanks
Boni

Bonitaj

scroll up and you'll see you are enrolled.
Some Blake would be great!
You know how to post to the workshop?
Just post as for a normal poem but just above Preview you'll see a Workshop drop-down, click on that and select Critique Quickie.
Welcome.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

and make sure you crtique every poem posted at
http://new.neopoet.com/workshop/critique-quickie
cheers
Jess

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

and make sure you crtique every poem posted at
http://new.neopoet.com/workshop/view/6365
and join the the discussion at
http://new.neopoet.com/workshop/critique-quickie
cheers
Jess

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

We have had themoonman,Geezer,Kailashana,wesley snow,Rhiannon1010,Tam the Chanter,William Saint George,Barbara Writes and Bonitaj all post, with a total of nearly 18000 words, including the poetry and comments. Bonitaj has just joined us so please be sure to comment on her submission, 'FUNERAL BLUES' http://new.neopoet.com/node/funeral-blues

Then comes the really interesting stage. Editing the poems. No poem is sacrosanct, I would like to see at minimum an edit, preferably a full re-write, parodies are acceptable.

N.B. Post your edit, re-write or parodies ON THE SAME PAGE AS THE ORIGINAL POEM, so we can compare them directly. Do not post as a comment on the thread or on a separate page. Click edit and paste your work in directly after the original poem.

Then we will have fun comparing them all. Of course all my punk interpretations are best so I win the grand prize of a babies arm holding an apple.

Remember also to give me critical feedback so I can work to improve the workshops.

Cheers
Jess

As usual, general discussion should be on the main page http://new.neopoet.com/workshop/critique-quickie.

And I would truly appreciate good or bad critical feedback on the workshop itself. I want to keep making them better.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

a babies arm holding an apple...

thanks mr e for giving me my first laugh out loud moment
for the day

cheers
p

Instead of the trophy being a babies arm with an apple, it could be a fetus in an IV drip bag, like in Nirvana's Heart Shaped Box music video! ;D

How about a workshop "Poems guaranteed to offend"?
I've got a bunch of them!

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

DO IT NOOOWWWWWW!!!! lol..... That could be..."fun"! lol

But am planning a meter workshop next. It's incredible how few poets know anything about meter

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

i am among the few that know nothing about meter. When meter come together, i am pleasantly surprise

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

Neopoet Community

i am among the few that know nothing about meter. When meter come together, i am pleasantly surprise

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

Neopoet Community

sign me up for that one too. Sounds SOOOOO fun. I can't wait!

but this one is more technical, be prepared.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

im up for the challenge. lets do this thing!

im up for the challenge. lets do this thing!

im up for the challenge. lets do this thing!

Be careful! My challenges can cross the line!

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

Write a poem that offends not just your own beliefs but those of everyone you know! [grins]

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

I only ment to post one, but wen a challenge is presented, I can't sa no. guess i'm like my boyfreind in that way! lol you are on. where should I post it? time and place!

.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

I tried to keep the tone light and frivolous because it is a serious issue, and it felt more offencive when it was care free.

Bonitaj has just joined us so please be sure to comment on her submission, 'FUNERAL BLUES' http://new.neopoet.com/node/funeral-blues

Then comes the really interesting stage. Editing the poems. No poem is sacrosanct, I would like to see at minimum an edit, preferably a full re-write, parodies are acceptable.

N.B. Post your edit, re-write or parodies ON THE SAME PAGE AS THE ORIGINAL POEM, so we can compare them directly. Do not post as a comment on the thread or on a separate page. Click edit and paste your work in directly after the original poem.

Then we will have fun comparing them all. Of course all my punk interpretations are best so I win the grand prize of a babies arm holding an apple.

Remember also to give me critical feedback so I can work to improve the workshops.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

hi Jess!
THought I'd get in early before the week heats up and time runs out!
Loved the workshop, not so much for parodying by way of re-writes, but the energy that came out of it! It would appear most were challenged to either re-interpret old works, or go and research the ones they hadn't seen. I know I certainly was!
THanks for the great idea! The fact that I've raved with Paul and Lou and others in the committee, is a message that I'm sure got through!
Boni

Bonitaj

But remember it's not over yet! We still have to edit the original poems.

I am learning as I go with these workshops. Some have been too technical, others unclear in my syllabus. I will be striving to continue to improve them.

And thanks for passing it on!

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

from a personal perspective. wesley

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

I have also rewritten mine.

i have rewritten mine

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

Neopoet Community

N.B. Post your edit, re-write or parodies ON THE SAME PAGE AS THE ORIGINAL POEM, so we can compare them directly. Do not post as a comment on the thread or on a separate page. Click edit and paste your work in directly after the original poem.

In other words both poems, the original and the edit/rewrite should appear in the post. Sorry if I was unclear.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

This was a wonderful workshop
It helped me a lot, with
My critiquing and understanding of poetry
 
This workshop also helped me express my ideas better, and
Made me feel more confident in my ability and talent as a leader and poet 

The more I exercise my brain in workshops like these
The more effective I become as a poet, and a writer
My goal is to help others just as I've been 

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

Neopoet Community

I learned how to give critique, and understand poetry better. It also helped prove to me that no one is perfect.

please let me know any topics or themes you'ld like to look at in future workshops.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

Are we finished now, Jess?

Ian

TIME FLIES LIKE AN ARROW, BUT FRUIT FLIES LIKE A BANANA

a few participants haven't posted their re-writes, William has been sick, so I haven't officially closed it yet. Have you checked out everyone's re-writes and critiqued them?

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

but I think a large part of the problem is
1. poets can't/won't read
2. poets can't/won't follow instructions
There are mis-understandings every workshop but we bumble along.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

would be glad to have your input developing it.

After that another critique workshop which I would love you to co-lead with me.

Everything I embark on comes to fruition [grins]

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

The Southern American accent is influenced by French, which doesn't use stressed syllables! French poetry meter relies rather on long and short syllables. The trick in this case, and what I believe Stan has done, is to read a lot of meter based poetry. His major influence, clearly, is Robert Frost, who uses meter exceptionally well. If you really want to hardwire meter into your head read Longfellow's 'Haiwatha', if you dare! You'll be thinking in meter for weeks after.

All good ideas for the meter workshop. I'll circulate a group PM soon to brainstorm ideas for it and put a syllabus together.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment
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