The Certificate in Creative Writing (Poetry) is for people who have a passionate enthusiasm for learning and practising the art of poetry. Participants on the course are encouraged to hone the skills of poetry and to create their own unique body of work. The course is a series of guided workshops on different aspects of poetry, where students are encouraged to read the work of other poets, learn and practise the techniques of a range of different poetic forms, to express themselves creatively, and to write their own poems. By the end of the course students will have developed their own portfolio of poems.

Credits: 10 ECTS

Delivery: Course will be delivered on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm – 9.30pm on-campus in Carlow for 12 weeks commencing 21st January 2025.  Scheduled day may be subject to change.

Throughout this course, learners will explore and develop skills in the essential techniques of poetry writing, such as the poetic line, line-breaks, enjambment, diction, imagery, and cultural context, emphasizing the craft of contemporary poetry. The course will cover topics such as:

• Fundamental aspects of poetry such as line structure, line-breaks, enjambment, and classic verse forms like couplets and quatrains.
• The aural quality of poetry, enhancing awareness of rhythm, musicality, and the “voice” in poetic expression.

• Using tangible objects as gateways to discussing abstract themes such as memory, relationships, loss, and love.
• Creating ekphrastic poems in response to visual art, understanding the relationship between poetry and other art forms.
• Poetry in Translation.
• Experimenting with various poetic forms and techniques, including prose poetry, satire, dramatic monologues, metaphor, simile, and symbolism.
• Practicing structured forms like the sonnet, sestina, and villanelle.
• Explore techniques and considerations for composing poetry for digital platforms.
• Writing for Publication and learning the process of submitting poems to literary magazines for publication.

Entry Requirements

Applications are assessed on a case by case basis in accordance with Carlow College Admission Guidelines and Procedures for Part-Time Learners

Applicants must be residents of Ireland.

Fees

Course fees are €350 and payable at registration.

Applications

Bookings are now open for Certificates commencing in January. Book your place here

Closing date for bookings is the 8th January 2025 (or when places are filled).