The Poetic Line: From Breath to Lineation

How do lineation choices help poets achieve potent effects? An intuitive approach to lineation starts with the breath—with what our voices naturally do with syntax—but it doesn’t stop there. In this class, we’ll attune ourselves to possibilities in lineation to build emotional resonance, enhance meaning, and delight readers. Then, we’ll walk through a series of guided experiments to unlock new lineation possibilities in our poem drafts.