Stephen Dobyns Stanford Mohr Poet 2011 |
Commentary on Chapter 9 Revision Stephen Dobyns' book Next Word, Better Word
Poetry Workshop
Peter Y. Chou
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Next Word, Better Word Craft of Writing Poetry (2011) |
Preface: Stephen Dobyns, Stanford Mohr Poet (Winter 2011) told his Poetry Workshop class (English 192V) on February 16, 2010 that our homework assignment for next week is a 300-350 words essay on his handout Chapter Nine Revision (pp. 234-254) from his new book Next Word, Better Word to be published by Macmillan (April 26, 2011). In this chapter Dobyns tells about his writing process from composition to revision. He shares some of the tricks to make a better poem. Unlike the previous chapter on "Closure" where Dobyns cites nine complete poems, only one is given in this one Kenneth Rosen's "Apple Tree". I enjoyed reading this chapter as Dobyns offers numerous ways for improving one's poem during the revision process. |
Revision
The word "revise" is derived from Latin reviser to look at again, and revidere to see again. Thus, in revision, we look over again in order to correct or improve the poem or manuscript. Another meaning is "to make a new, amended, improved, or up-to-date version". We have seen revised drafts of T.S. Eliot's poem The Waste Land (1922) by Ezra Pound. Some claimed Jefferson's Declaration of Independence (1776) was revised by Benjamin Franklin, as he was on the committee drafting this historical document. In this chapter, Dobyns relates his process of revision in poetry.
Composition & Revision
Tricks to Write Better Poems
Poem works on emotional, intellectual, and physical level
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Peter Y. Chou, February 23, 2011