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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop by California Institute of the Arts

4.8
stars
1,871 ratings

About the Course

Why just write poems when you can write better ones? This course is built on the notion that the most exciting writing begins after the first draft. It is specifically for folks who believe that writing poems just to express oneself is like using the Internet just for email. After all, poetry can change the way you and your readers think of the world and its inhabitants; it can break new ground for language; turn a blank sheet of paper into a teeming concert of voices and music. Though any of us may have the potential to make that happen, having an understanding of how several tools of poetic composition can be used (and audaciously “mis-used”) gives you more ways to try (and if we do this right, we might surprise ourselves most of all). We'll cover key poetic terms and devices by studying poems by a handful of modern and contemporary poets and then get a chance to try our own hand at writing new poem drafts from a select number of prompts. Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to workshop your poem drafts and get feedback on your work, working towards a more polished poem....

Top reviews

CD

Jun 24, 2025

Excellent material taught in an accessible way. Wonderful to share my own work and receive feedback and learn the critical thinking skills to give useful feedback also to others. Great stuff

SM

Jun 11, 2020

Loved the course. Douglas Kearney is amazing as an instructor. I love poetry and this workshop has made me happy during the times of COVID 19. I thank CalArts for the encouragement and appreciation.

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576 - 600 of 771 Reviews for Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop

By Michele C

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Apr 23, 2020

Brilliant Instructor, great videos and prompts!!

By Sonia C

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Oct 7, 2015

Superb course. Well structured, I learned a lot.

By Kimberly C

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Jun 12, 2020

This course was incredibly awesome! Thank you!!

By Jasmin R

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Nov 2, 2016

Fantastic, fun, educational, and indeed, sharp.

By Alexina B

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May 11, 2024

Great course...learned a lot of solid knowedge

By Ruiying X

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Mar 23, 2016

Nice course! Very funny and helpful professor!

By Valerie A

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Jan 6, 2017

Greatly enjoyed the activities and professor!

By Alice S

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Jan 31, 2022

Fun but very valuable introduction to poetry

By RAHMATULLAAH U K

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Apr 22, 2025

Its a fun, interactive and safe paced class

By Sara P

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Sep 9, 2015

Love poetry! Thank you for the inspiration.

By Tammy S

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Feb 14, 2021

i really enjoyed the whole class thank you

By All-in

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Jul 14, 2021

It open my mind go deeper in my writing.

By Stephane B

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Oct 16, 2021

a very enticing and exciting workshop !

By Deni

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Mar 11, 2021

Fantastic course. I highly recommend it.

By Abdul S I

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Aug 24, 2021

Very Intresting and worth every second

By Marisa M

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Nov 29, 2020

A fun way to learn and practice poetry!

By Bruce H

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Jul 19, 2020

Very helpful insights to writing poetry

By Nav3ty

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Apr 7, 2020

Excellent course, Fantastic Instructor.

By Jackie F

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Mar 14, 2017

Fantastic! I want a 2.0 version Please!

By Jennifer W

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May 30, 2020

Super animated and dynamic instructor!

By Sammer K

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Mar 25, 2020

My poetry is on a whole new level now!

By Geiber E P C

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Apr 22, 2019

Very nice, very nice. Doug is great!

By Ammar M H

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Oct 29, 2017

Very concrete, focused and applicable.

By Diego A M

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Mar 14, 2025

muy interesante y fácil de comprender

By Sarah S

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Nov 30, 2017

Great no-cost online poetry workshop.