Why Don't Poets Just Say What They Mean: An Introduction To Reading Poetry ~ with Dr. Diane Goodman

It’s time to demystify reading poetry and reveal the delight inherent in the process and the art! Poetry can be intimidating because it seems to take a lot of effort to interpret and make sense of the true meaning and message behind it. In this class, Dr. Goodman will use classic and contemporary poems by Shakespeare, Langston Hughes, Emily Dickinson, and current US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo to explore avenues into increasing our understanding through a combination of practical activities while also examining the literary devices poets rely on to generate meaning. This class will include a lecture, readings, discussion, and some writing. *Diane Goodman holds a PhD in English, in addition to an MFA in Creative Writing, and has been teaching literature and writing at the university level for over 25 years. Dr. Goodman’s publications include “A History of Modern Poetry” (EBSCO), as well as poems and essays which have appeared in many literary journals and national magazines. She is also the