Are you intrigued by poems that seem to follow a particular structure? Are you drawn to elements such as rhyme and repetition, and wonder how to use these to write your own verse? In this four-session creative writing workshop, participants will learn about form poems: those that tell a story by employing specific patterns, syllable counts, and other elements. Reputed poets Mark Strand and Eavan Boland, authors of The Making of a Poem: A Norton Anthology of Poetic Forms, have said that form poems are “not locks, but keys.” Although they may seem limiting at first, we will find that forms can allow poets to plan the journey and arrive exactly where they intended. We will explore four types of poems: the sonnet, the pantoum, the sestina and the ghazal; and will learn about their history, how they work, and how we can use them to let our individual expression shine through.
New Participant: $123.00
Returning Participant: $123.00
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 6:15 to 8:15 PM
Location: 3405 Atwater, Montreal
Instructor: Carolyne Van Der Meer
First session: April 7 2026
Course length: 4 weeks
Degree credit: 1.5
Maximum number of participants: 15
Please note that the Thomas More Institute does not allow participants to audit courses for free.
About the Thomas More Institute: The Thomas More Institute has been providing adults with stimulating lifelong learning opportunities in Montreal since 1945. A secular and non-profit academic institution, TMI offers an ever-evolving choice of university-level courses in the liberal arts, including discussion-based courses, lecture-style courses, writing workshops, and more. Our courses are held in small groups, offering an alternative learning environment to that of traditional university courses. You can take individual courses that interest you, or work toward a structured bachelor of arts degree or comprehensive certificate that involve additional coursework. Share Your Curiosity at TMI!
About course fees: all prices displayed include Tuition and the Administrative fee.
Leaders of another course, and anyone else wishing to register by phone, should call (514) 935-9585 to register.
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