Discovery of Poetry - Softcover

Mayes, Francis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0155001620 ISBN 13: 9780155001626

Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing, 1994

Synopsis

THE DISCOVERY OF POETRY introduces the art and craft of poetry. From an early tribal orison on the rising sun to a recent freeway lyric just out of the word processor, poems always reveal the writer's concerns, feelings, and values. Starting with words and images, this book hopes to help the student understand the importance of word choice and image-making, building a foundation as he or she learns about rhythm, voice, and structure. Questions and writing prompts help facilitate class discussion and a deeper thinking about poetry. The last chapter, "A Poet's Handbook," breaks down the creative process of the poet from creating images to revision. THE DISCOVERY OF POETRY will help facilitate a deeper appreciation and understanding of poetry.

About this title

Review

1. Sources and Approaches. 2. Words: Textures and Sounds. 3. Images: The Perceptual Field. 4. The Speaker: The Eye of the Poem. 5. Rhyme and Repetition. 6. Meter: The Measured Flow. 7. Free Verse. 8. Traditional and Open Forms. 9. Subject and Style. 10. Interpretations: The Wide Response. 11. Writing about Poetry. 12. A Poet"s Handbook.

From the Back Cover

Long before she fell in love with Tuscany, Frances Mayes fell in love with poetry. The author of five poetry collections, she was also a professor of creative writing at San Francisco State University. In this accessible field guide, Mayes invites readers to share her lifelong passion. Beginning with basic terminology and techniques, The Discovery of Poetry reveals how focusing on each aspect of a poem can help you better understand, appreciate, and enjoy the whole reading and writing experience. In addition to creative composition ideas, lyrical and lively discussions are followed by a thoughtful selection of poems. With its distinguished
anthology of work from Shakespeare to Jamaica Kincaid, this is an insightful, invaluable guide to what Mayes calls "the natural pleasures of language-a happiness we were born to have."

Frances Mayes is the author of the bestselling Under the Tuscan Sun, Bella Tuscany, and In Tuscany, which have been translated into twenty languages. She has written five books of poetry including, most recently, Ex Voto. Formerly the chair of the Creative Writing Department at San Francisco State University, she divides her time northern California and Cortona, Italy.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0155001620
• ISBN 13: 9780155001626
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 656