Tutorials
I
offer private tutorials for those who would like to work with me
one-on-one to improve their craft and knowledge of poetry and poetic
techniques. In essence, it's a kind of private workshop cum mentorship.
I will offer critiques of poems, assign reading and generative
exercises meant to teach or improve skills including but not limited to:
- Use of syntax
- Use of description
- Use of
imagery/symbol/metaphor/simile
- Balance of
abstract and concrete language
- Use of
rhetorical language
- Use of diction,
voice, point of view
- Use of dialogue
- Pace and rhythm
of language
- Use of assonance,
consonance, repetition, rhyme
- Presence/lack
of tension or risk: (dramatic, linguistic, formal, emotional, etc.)
- Capacity to
surprise (associative leaps, juxtaposition, wit, humor, imagery,
syntax, action, emotion, etc.)
- Line breaks,
punctuation
- Word choice
(best, most accurate, evocative word for context)
I
recommend one-hour meetings (this can be done by phone if you are
at a distance), and will be glad to tailor tutorials to individual
needs and pocket books (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly).
During the meetings, we will discuss assigned reading if you wish to do so, and I
will ask you to assess your poem's strengths and weaknesses, then offer my assessment in
both verbal and written form (this employs the "Ossmann Method" I use
in workshops intended to teach poets to be better editors of their
own work, adjusted for individual use). I will also offer coaching or
"in class" generative exercises (your choice) if you ask, and assign
technique exercises and reading.
Fee
I charge $85/hour, and expect my preparation time to be about an hour,
including research, lesson-planning, and editing one poem
(poems
longer than a page will take more time and cost more). The cost
for the two hours is $170. I'm glad to edit multiple poems and extend
discussions to cover them at my hourly rate. Most of my students send 2
- 4 poems per tutorial ($340 is average for four poems).
Payment
Full payment due is one week in advance of each meeting, with the
submission of your poem (s) for critique. I accept checks or money orders.
Refunds
No refunds
unless I fail to perform the work due to extended illness or injury.
Email address: aprilossmann@hotmail.com