BBC Maestro

Carol Ann Duffy - Writing Poetry

Learn how to write poetry that flows from your own life experience with Carol Ann Duffy, the UK's former Poet Laureate, and T.S. Eliot Prize for Poetry winner. This course is about so much more than just metre and rhyme. You'll learn how to tap into your memories and imagination, finding inspiration from the humblest of subjects and bringing your own unique voice to the page. With the combination of practical exercises, deconstructed examples of her own work, and tips on how to write from your own experiences, you'll finish this course with your eyes and ears open, and your first collection of poems.

Where to Watch Carol Ann Duffy - Writing Poetry

25 Episodes

  • INTRODUCTION
    E1
    INTRODUCTIONCarol Ann introduces the magic of poetry, as well as the contents of the course.
  • MEMORY AS IMAGINATION: PLACE
    E2
    MEMORY AS IMAGINATION: PLACEBegin to approach the topic of imagination through your memory, starting with places. 
  • MEMORY AS IMAGINATION: PEOPLE
    E3
    MEMORY AS IMAGINATION: PEOPLEExplore the memories you have of the language and mannerisms of people in your life. 
  • YOUR OWN WORDS
    E4
    YOUR OWN WORDSDelve into the vocabulary that is already within you.
  • READ TO WRITE
    E5
    READ TO WRITELearn how to engage with your reading list, making note of what you like to what you don’t. 
  • LEARNING POEMS BY HEART
    E6
    LEARNING POEMS BY HEARTCarry poems within you and see how they change in meaning with time, and with you.
  • FINDING INSPIRATION: ART
    E7
    FINDING INSPIRATION: ARTVisit art galleries or flick through art books and actively let inspiration find you.
  • FINDING INSPIRATION: STORY
    E8
    FINDING INSPIRATION: STORYGet creative with your favourite stories, real or fictional.
  • FINDING INSPIRATION: YOUR OWN INTERESTS
    E9
    FINDING INSPIRATION: YOUR OWN INTERESTSWhere to start when writing about what is close to your heart. 
  • COMING TO YOUR SENSES: LOOKING, SMELLING, LISTENING, TASTING, TOUCHING
    E10
    COMING TO YOUR SENSES: LOOKING, SMELLING, LISTENING, TASTING, TOUCHINGAwaken your senses and learn to capture what you see on the page. 
  • COMING TO YOUR SENSES: THE WEATHER
    E11
    COMING TO YOUR SENSES: THE WEATHERTake inspiration from the weather, literally or metaphorically. 
  • COMING TO YOUR SENSES: LOVE POEMS
    E12
    COMING TO YOUR SENSES: LOVE POEMSRevitalise old clichés with unlikely metaphors, bringing all your senses to the page. 
  • THE WORLD WE LIVE IN: UP CLOSE
    E13
    THE WORLD WE LIVE IN: UP CLOSEStay alert and have fun naming the things that fill world around you.
  • THE WORLD WE LIVE IN: TOWNS & CITIES
    E14
    THE WORLD WE LIVE IN: TOWNS & CITIESFind the right words to describe cities.
  • TIME: RECEIVING THE BATON
    E15
    TIME: RECEIVING THE BATONLearn about the different ways and forms poets through time have written and how you can add your own take to it. 
  • TIME: A YEAR IN YOUR LIFE
    E16
    TIME: A YEAR IN YOUR LIFEUse a specific time in your life to place yourself in a new poem. 
  • TIME: WRITING BACKWARDS
    E17
    TIME: WRITING BACKWARDSExperiment by looking at events through a different angle of time and make new discoveries.
  • CHOOSING A FORM
    E18
    CHOOSING A FORMDiscover what shape suits the words you write best.
  • DRAFTING AND REDRAFTING
    E19
    DRAFTING AND REDRAFTINGUnderstand the different elements to consider while redrafting your work.
  • WRITING FOR OCCASIONS: THE PERSONAL
    E20
    WRITING FOR OCCASIONS: THE PERSONALHandy steps to help you write from the heart. 
  • WRITING FOR OCCASIONS: THE PUBLIC
    E21
    WRITING FOR OCCASIONS: THE PUBLICFind the right entry point for you to write about different topics or commissions. 
  • ANTHOLOGIES AND ANSWERING BACK
    E22
    ANTHOLOGIES AND ANSWERING BACKHave fun selecting a poem from long ago and answering it with your own poem. 
  • WRITING POETRY FOR CHILDREN
    E23
    WRITING POETRY FOR CHILDRENWhy children’s perspectives are perfect for poetry. 
  • BUILDING A COLLECTION
    E24
    BUILDING A COLLECTIONStart with pamphlets and find the right homes for your work. 
  • DON'T GIVE UP YOUR DAY JOB
    E25
    DON'T GIVE UP YOUR DAY JOBFind ways to practice the craft of poetry alongside your job.

 

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