This course is part of the program Reading English Literature, which is one of the building blocks that leads to a degree in Bachelor of Arts. Find out more.

Explore, understand and critique poetry

What are the different ways you can understand a poem? How do different elements of a poem work together? What difference does context make to literature?

Get answers to these questions and more with this course introducing poetry analysis and literary analysis.

You will examine a variety of texts written in different genres in order to develop an understanding of how writers deploy language to convey their ideas. You will develop fundamental skills in literary analysis, preparing your for further study of literature and creative writing.

What topics will you cover?

What is poetry?
Carpe diem
Storytelling

When would you like to start?

Date to be announced

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What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Explain key literary concepts and findings in appropriate written forms.
Interpret literary works from different genres and eras at a foundational level.
Identify a variety of literary forms and the key terms used to describe and understand them.
Apply core linguistic concepts and principles in analysing English literature.

Who is the course for?

This course is for anyone interested in poetry, English, literature, or literary analysis. You don’t need any previous experience.

Who will you learn with?

Caroline Webb

I’m an Associate Professor of English literature at the University of Newcastle, Australia. I am passionate about poetry, but my research focuses on modern literature, especially fantasy.

Who developed the course?

The University of Newcastle Australia

The University of Newcastle is a world-class university distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Ranked in Australia’s Top 10 universities, and 197th in the world (QS rankings, 2021).

Established
1965
Location
Newcastle, Australia
World ranking
Top 200Source: QS World University Rankings 2021

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps, but you can complete them as quickly or slowly as you like
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Advance your career with a degree

What's different about this course?

Since 2017 you have been able to take a degree on FutureLearn. This free course is a bit like a starter course for a degree — it should give you a flavour of the degree subject but can also be your first step towards a degree qualification.

If you enjoy this course you can apply to join the program it’s part of to start working towards a degree on FutureLearn.

Don’t worry, you can still take the course without doing a full degree!