“In 2016, when Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature for his song lyrics, it signaled to the world that great lyrics can be literary high art as much as any non-rhyming poem,” says instructor Alison Luterman.
In this 3-week class, we’ll look at the similarities and differences between poetry and lyrics. We’ll read examples of both genres, try our hands at creating lyrics out of poems, and vice versa. We’ll talk about the joys and challenges of rhyme—perfect rhyme, off-rhyme, end rhyme and internal rhyme—and discuss common song forms such as ballads, anthems, hip hop and the blues.
Alison says, “You do not need to be a musician to participate in this class, or have any previous experience in songwriting or poetry. We will be doing generative writing exercises in class and sharing our discoveries with the group. Mostly we will be having fun!”
About The Writing Salon's Online Zoom Classes
You will be able to participate in live class meetings via Zoom videoconference. To attend classes, you'll need a phone, tablet or computer and access to the internet. You can participate in the class from wherever you'd like, whether on your living room couch or in your office. Before your class meets, you'll receive an email from The Writing Salon with more information about Zoom and your remote class. If you have any questions about remote learning, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@writingsalons.com.
Alison Luterman is the author of four books of poetry, including In the Time of Great Fires and Desire Zoo, and an e-book of personal essays, Feral City. Her work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, The Sun, Rattle, The Atlanta Review, Catamaran, and many other journals and anthologies. She also writes song lyrics, plays, and is interested in hybrid forms. She has been teaching at the Writing Salon for over twenty years, and has also taught through Poets in the Schools, at New College, at Esalen and Omega Institutes and at workshops and conferences around the country. To learn more, you can visit www.alisonluterman.net.
- Live Zoom Meeting: Thursday, December 03 2:00pm-4:30pm
- Live Zoom Meeting: Thursday, December 10, 2:00pm-4:30pm
- Live Zoom Meeting: Thursday, December 17, 2:00pm-4:30pm
Alison is a wonderful facilitator! Her openness and enthusiasm are infectious. She's skilled at reading the room and tailoring the pace accordingly. She ensures that everyone's voice has a chance to be heard and encourages us to share our writing as well as our process. As we move through the readings together, she also weaves in many valuable gems related to craft and the creative process.
Alison is not only a fine poet but she is a fine teacher giving each student full attention without making others feel left out. She listens, a huge skill. She gives good feedback, gives you time to write in class, is non-judgemental, everything a student would want in a teacher. She is a charming person and makes everyone feel welcome and valued. And she has an adorable cat.
Alison's class was wonderful. She makes it look easy but it takes a tremendous amount of skill, attention, knowledge and compassion to teach a class as well as she does.