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