Write poetry in the great metrical tradition of Dante, Shakespeare, Dickinson, Frost, and the poets of the current Formalist revival&break;&break;In this contemporary guide, you"ll learn how to write metrical poetry in all the major forms, from blank verse and quatrains to sonnets and villanelles. Each chapter provides step-by-step instruction that"s accessible and easy to understand for even the most beginning poet.&break;&break;This book includes unique features difficult to find anywhere else:&break;Essential but non-intimidating instruction on meter and rhyme&break;Focused assignments detailing how to make your first attempt at a specific form&break;Illuminating discussions on pop culture, figures of speech, difficult themes, and other important topics&break;An engaging overview of poetry"s history, and why it"s important to learn the traditional forms&break;&break;Complementing the instruction are many classic and contemporary poems, including recent work by Richard Wilbur, Wendy Cope, X.J. Kennedy, Dana Gioia, Rachel Hadas, Wyatt Prunty, Alicia Stallings, and many others. &break;&break;Writing Metrical Poetry is the perfect course in metrical poetry for the person working alone or working in the classroom.