Description: An exercise in the four basic meter structures with discussion of some of the more esoteric. This will be Meter 101 open to all of the pools. We will again explore iamb, trochee, anapest and dactyl in some detail while holding discussions on spondees, pyrrhics, amphibrachs and more. Participants will work chiefly with quatrains of various meters in tetrameter and pentameter (to be discussed) as well as shorter lines to Alexandrines.

Description:
How do we express powerful emotions with falling into sentimentality? How can we communicate an importunate truth without lapsing into slogans and clichés? What is originality and how do we know when we have strayed into derivative, rehashed, or imitative writing?

This workshop will feature a discussion leading to each participant choosing a set of emotions and/or ideas they want to express and a strategy for communicating them in an original way.

This is a collaborative workshop where participants create a poem with 'Rhyming couplets in quatrains'. It's designed just like Eternal Renga workshop before it. Only the poetry content and form is different. The suggested metric form is "Iambic Tetrameter", which means 8 syllables per line, alternately unstressed and stressed eg da DUM / da DUM / da DUM / da DUM / Those who enjoy writing or want to learn Rhyming couplets in quatrains and practice their meter. This is a place just for you. We will begin with a discussion of subjects/themes we might tackle.

Description:We will discuss and use techniques which can be used that allow a reader to relate to a poem(hence relativity). Will begin with a discussion of why it's important the readers relate, go on to how this can be accomplished. Then we will each select one of our own poems which we think fails in achieving relativity. Leader next will assign another member to rewrite this poem such that it will relate to the reader. Finally each rewritten poem will be discussed dwelling on whether the rewrite succeeds in immersing the reader in the poem.

Leaders: BlueDemon77and weirdelf

Moderators: weirdelf, beauregard

Description: Each participant will submit one poem they feel needs work, one they are having trouble perfecting, or feel is under-appreciated. One other participant will be assigned to give it a vigorous critique at every level. Some of the areas or topics of the critique would include

Description:This is going to be a different type shop. Instead of writing poetry or learning definitions and stuff, we're going to Think. We're going to attempt to determine the difference between good and great poetry
Leader: Stan Holliday (scribbler)
Moderator(s): weirdelf (Jess)

Objectives: To better our own poetry by discussing what makes a poem great

Level of expertise: Open to all

Description: This is a meeting place for all poets on Neopoet to come and post verses of poetry to "Eternal Renga" So, come as a group or individual and post your verses anytime. This is an ongoing collaborative effort that could go on for hundreds of verses. A truly Neopoet group effort. Let's co-operate to create a truly Neopoet poem.

Leader: Barbara Writes
Moderator(s):

Objectives: To have everyone at Neopoet collaborating a Renga poem.

Level of expertise: Open to all.

Description: Context can be critical to poetics. For example, poetry that records historic events in epics, such as Gilgamesh, will necessarily be lengthy and narrative, while poetry used for liturgical purposes (hymns, psalms, sutras and hadiths) needs to have an inspirational tone. Elegy and tragedy are meant to evoke deep emotional responses, while comic is supposed to provoke laughter.

Various forms of poetry have been ‘invented’ throughout history, as poets have attempted to find the most appropriate and effective way to use sound to present their message.

Description: An open ended workshop to offer the opportunity to discuss and create a completed story in verse through assisted revision.

Leader: Wesley
Moderator(s): Judyanne, Beauregard, weirdelf

Objectives: To produce over time a large work of storytelling poetry.

Level of expertise: Open to all

Subject matter: Concepts of storytelling and how they relate to verse.

Description: Poetry has many levels, from trite, mindless Hallmark card text to work that transcends meaning. This workshop will concentrate on coaxing out the most emotional, philosophical meanings,and metaphysical content from our poetry.
We will begin with a discussion that explores serious content. It certainly does not exclude humour, but the import is to have something serious to say in a philosophical, emotion, metaphysical or scientific way. Let's do this.