Getting the Knack: 20 Poetry Writing Exercises 20

Rating:
Summary: The best how-to poetry book out there!
Review: I hope this book isn't going out of print. It's a gift to be able to take lessons from a master poet like William Stafford, especially now that he has passed away. I don't know of any other poetry technique book that allows a student to really get their feet wet in language. This is a real treat in the exploration and discovery of language becoming poetry. You will get marvelous results working through these 20 exercises.

Rating:
Summary: Great book - Fresh and Unusual
Review: This book is a wonderful mix of fresh and unusual activities and guiding interludes by the authors. The book is not only a great way to get you creative juices lowing, but it is an inspiring read. Many of my students enjoy the interludes between activities as much as the activities themselves.
I would encourage any teacher to make this a part of your poetry toolbox.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Teaching Text
Review: This is a cookbook-like approach to the teaching of poetic form. Each chapter presents a different form, a step-by-step guide to implementing a lesson with students (which is clear enough, I've found, to leave for a substitute lesson plan!), and selected examples of successful types. A great work for junior and senior high school general-level classes.