About this course

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

What you'll 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.


Meet the instructors

Associate Professor Caroline Webb

Associate Professor Caroline Webb

Associate Professor Caroline Webb works at the University of Newcastle, Australia, where she specialises in English literature since 1900, especially fantasy literature.

Like this open course?

Take the full semester 10 unit course

Learn more

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