Poetry for beginners: Fun and feeling through words

About

This interactive workshop invites participants to delve into the rich craft of poetry through a blend of close reading, creative writing, and collaborative discussion. Across the session, we will explore key poetic elements—such as meter, rhyme, sound devices, form, and structural techniques—and consider how each contributes to a poem's themes and emotional impact.
Participants will examine selected poems in depth, identifying how poets use language with precision and intention. Guided writing activities will encourage experimentation with these techniques, allowing participants to apply newly learned concepts in their own poems.

In the afternoon, participants will take part in a variety of exercises to write, present, discuss, critique, and revise poetic works, strengthening both creative confidence and critical insight. Group discussion and peer feedback will further support the development of voice, skill, and expressive range.

By the end of the workshop, attendees will:
• Understand core poetic concepts including meter, rhyme, sound, form, and structure
• Recognise how these elements shape meaning and reader experience
• Practise using these techniques in original writing
• Refine their work through presenting, critiquing, and revising poems
• Gain confidence in interpreting, discussing, and crafting poetry

This workshop is aimed at beginners curious about poetry but more experienced writers are also welcome.