Introduction To Poetry
- Arts
- 100 level
- 2 credit units
- 193 pages
- 14 units
This course introduces students to the fundamental aspects of poetry as a literary genre. It explores the nature of poetry, its definitions, uses, elements, techniques, and devices. Students will learn to identify different forms of poetry, understand poetic language, and develop skills in analyzing and appreciating poems. The course also covers critical approaches to poetry, enabling students to distinguish between effective and ineffective poetry and to critique poems effectively.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 120 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ENG172, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ENG172 · UNIT 1: WHAT IS LITERATURE?
We have been able to go through some of the basic concepts of literature as an art form in this unit. This knowledge will serve as a good reference point as you study any of the forms of literature and poetry in particular.
What you should be able to do
- Define poetry and discuss its characteristics.
- Identify and explain the elements of poetry.
- Recognize and describe different forms of poetry.
- Understand and apply various techniques and literary devices.
- Analyze and critique poems effectively.
- Distinguish between effective and ineffective poetry.
What it prepares you for
- Writer
- Editor
- Literary Critic
- Teacher
- Content Creator
- Publishing
- Education
- Journalism
- Media
- Creative Writing
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Techniques and literary devices of poetry
Unit 2: Rhetorical Figures of Speech
Understanding and differentiating various rhetorical figures requires careful attention to subtle nuances in language and context.
- Module 2: Techniques and literary devices of poetry
Unit 4: Movement and Sound in Poetry: syllable; foot; metre and types
Applying knowledge of syllables, feet, and metre to analyze the rhythm and sound of complex poems requires practice and a strong understanding of prosody.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: The Nature of Poetry as Literature
Unit 1: What is Literature? · 2 hours
Read the introduction to literature and its essential qualities.. Identify the formal markers of literature.. Distinguish between literature and other forms of writing..
- Week 2Module 1: The Nature of Poetry as Literature
Unit 2: Poetry and its Definitions · 2 hours
Define poetry and explain its characteristics.. Identify operative terms in definitions of poetry.. Compare different definitions of poetry..
- Week 3Module 1: The Nature of Poetry as Literature
Unit 3: Elements of Poetry – Imagery, Rhythm, Sound, Diction · 2 hours
Identify and explain the elements of poetry: imagery, rhythm, sound, and diction.. Discuss the functions of each element.. Apply understanding of elements to appreciate poems..
- Week 4Module 1: The Nature of Poetry as Literature
Unit 4: Impersonal Forms of Poetry · 2 hours
Recognize and explain the different impersonal forms of poetry.. Describe the epic and ballad in detail.. Distinguish between different forms based on characteristics..
- Week 5Module 1: The Nature of Poetry as Literature
Unit 5: Major Types of Poetry – Personal or Romantic Forms · 2 hours
Recognize and explain the different personal or romantic forms of poetry.. Describe the ode, elegy, sonnet, and lyric in detail.. Distinguish between different forms based on characteristics..
- Week 6Module 2: Techniques and literary devices of poetry
Unit 1: Tropes: irony; paradox; metaphor, simile; personification; metonymy; synecdoche; etc. · 2 hours
Identify and explain tropes: irony, paradox, metaphor, simile, personification, metonymy, synecdoche.. Explain points of comparison in figurative expressions.. Discuss the effectiveness of figurative usage..
- Week 7Module 2: Techniques and literary devices of poetry
Unit 2: Rhetorical Figures of Speech · 2 hours
Identify and explain rhetorical figures: antithesis, apostrophe, contrast, onomatopoeia, hyperbole, oxymoron.. Explain the point of comparison in figurative expressions.. Discuss the effectiveness of figurative usage..
- Week 8Module 2: Techniques and literary devices of poetry
Unit 3: Types of Verse · 2 hours
Identify and explain the three verse forms: blank, heroic, free.. Distinguish between the types of verse.. Discuss the effect of rhymed and unrhymed meters in lines of poetry..
- Week 9Module 2: Techniques and literary devices of poetry
Unit 4: Movement and Sound in Poetry: syllable; foot; metre and types · 2 hours
Provide a comprehensive definition of syllables and explain different types.. Describe the nature, constituents, functions, and types of foot.. Discuss the characteristics of different types of metre..
- Week 10Module 2: Techniques and literary devices of poetry
Unit 5: Movement and Sound in Poetry: duration/quantity · 2 hours
Continue study of Movement and Sound in Poetry. Focus on duration and quantity.
- Week 11Module 3: Analysis of Poetry
Unit 1: Analysis of Poetry Through Matter and Theme · 2 hours
Define theme and its importance in poetry.. Identify and discuss thematic preoccupations in poems.. Explain how a poet combines theme and other elements to communicate meaning..
- Week 12Module 3: Analysis of Poetry
Unit 2: Analysis of Poetry Through Manner and Method · 2 hours
Explain the meaning and functions of techniques and styles in poetry.. Determine how a poet uses literary devices to disseminate ideas.. Discuss literary techniques and styles in selected poems..
- Week 13Module 3: Analysis of Poetry
Unit 3: Analysis of Poetry Through Meaning and Method · 2 hours
Explain the meaning of meaning in poetry.. Discuss the relationship between method and meaning.. Identify meanings in selected poems and analyze the methods employed..
Preparing for the exam
- Review definitions and examples of key poetic terms (metaphor, simile, alliteration, etc.) from Units 1-3.
- Practice identifying different poetic forms (sonnet, ballad, ode) and their characteristics from Unit 4.
- Analyze sample poems from the course material, focusing on theme, structure, and language (Units 11-13).
- Create flashcards for literary devices and their definitions to aid memorization.
- Practice writing short essays analyzing poems, focusing on specific elements or techniques.
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their feedback to identify areas for improvement.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ENG172 about?
This course introduces students to the fundamental aspects of poetry as a literary genre. It explores the nature of poetry, its definitions, uses, elements, techniques, and devices. Students will learn to identify different forms of poetry, understand poetic language, and develop skills in analyzing and appreciating poems. The course also covers critical approaches to poetry, enabling students to distinguish between effective and ineffective poetry and to critique poems effectively.
How many units does ENG172 have?
ENG172, Introduction To Poetry, has 14 units across 3 modules, over 193 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ENG172?
ENG172 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Arts.
Is ENG172 hard?
ENG172 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does ENG172 take to study?
About 120 hours of study, spread across its 14 units.
How is ENG172 assessed?
ENG172 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with ENG172?
Writer, Editor, Literary Critic, Teacher and Content Creator.