Top 10 Free Best Online Poetry Classes & Courses
If you are looking to learn the art of poetry and share your thoughts in an expressive way, you are in the right place!
In this guide, I have found some of the best online poetry classes in 2024 that are great for beginners.
Inside these free online courses, you will learn rules of form and composition which can clarify the meaning of your words to those who read it. Let’s get started!
Top 10 Free Best Online Poetry Classes & Courses 2024
1. Poetry I: Introduction to Making Poems (Skillshare)
First on my list is a fantastic online course that will help you start with writing quality poems in no time. This is an excellent course for beginners that provides insight into the creative process of writing memorable poems. You will also be joining 4,480 other students who have completed this class!
Your instructor is Cameron Conaway, a journalist, writer, and poet with many years of writing and teaching experience. He also has won Book of the Year from NPR and his writing has been published in Newsweek, ESPN, The Guardian, Reuters, NPR, and Forbes to name a few. So if you are looking to learn from one of the best, this is a great place to start.
As for the modules, you will learn how to find a theme, finding a thread, using a literary toolbox, and how to begin your poem. There are also class projects for you to complete and a discussion forum to share your completed poems and get feedback on.
When it comes to the price, there is none! As this class is hosted on Skillshare, new users can take this poetry class, plus 28,000 other lessons when taking advantage of their 1-month free trial. Overall, this is a great introductory class for beginners.
- Beginner level
- ½ hour
- Professional writer as the instructor
- Class projects
- Discussion forum
- 4,480 students enrolled
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2. How to Make Your Words More Artful & Lyrical (Skillshare)
Next on my list is another great online poetry class that teaches you how to be more expressive with your poetry so you can make a strong connection with your readers. This will also help you to better engage your audience and help them connect with your thoughts and feelings. You’ll also be joining 6,000 other students who have completed this class!
As for your instructor, you will be taught by Hanif Abdurraqib, who is a music critic and an essayist who writes on a variety of subjects in several different styles. His writing has been featured in Muzzle, Vinyl, PEN American, The FADER, Pitchfork, The New Yorker, and The New York Times.
Some of the modules taught in this 45-minute video lesson include the use of poetic language, abstract poetry, lyric essays, narrative poetry, closing, and a live reading of your poems. There is also an active discussion area where you can share your poems and get live feedback from other students.
Being hosted on Skillshare, users get access to all video modules, downloadable resources, class projects, a discussion forum, plus all of the classes available on the platform. Overall, this is one of the best online poetry classes that is packed full of helpful tips.
- Beginner level
- 45 minutes
- Taught by a professional writer
- Downloadable resources
- Class project
- Discussion forum
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3. Publish Your Own Poetry Chapbook (Udemy)
If you already have a collection of poems and are looking to create a chapbook, or even get them published, then this is the online course for you! While this course is aimed at more advanced poetry writers, it may also be suitable for aspiring poets whose aim is to get published in the future.
Your instructor for this course is Amy Lynn Hess, who is an associate professor of English and a published poet. She also is an author of English textbooks and runs her own poetry publishing company. So if you are looking to learn from an industry-leading expert, this is a great place to start.
Some of the modules included in this 1.5-hour video lesson include preproduction, production, and postproduction work on the poetry collection to be published.
There are also 11 downloadable resources, lifetime access of course materials, and a certificate of completion. Overall, a great online poetry class for those looking to become published poets.
- Beginner to Intermediate level
- 1 ½ hour
- English professor as your instructor
- Downloadable resources
- Lifetime access
- Certificate of completion
4. How To Make A Poem (Future Learn)
In this beginner-level online poetry class, you will follow the creation of a poem from the inspiration, all the way through to the publishing phase. So for those that are looking to learn the lifecycle of how a poem is created from start to finish, this is a great place to start.
Rather than being taught by one single instructor, you will instead be taught by educators from the Manchester Metropolitan University as part of the partnering program with Future Learn.
Included in the syllabus of this 3-week course includes discovering poetry, finding a poem, crafting poetry, the line, the stanza, editing, and workshops to name a few.
With all FutureLearn courses, there are resources to download and reviews of what you have learned, as well as lifetime course access and a certificate of completion.
- Beginner level
- 3 weeks course length
- Taught through Manchester Metropolitan University
- Downloadable resources
- Lifetime access
- Certificate of completion
5. Now is the time to write the best poetry you can (Udemy)
In addition to explaining how to write poetry, this beginner-level course also has various writing exercises that teach good writing habits which can help free up your creativity. It will also explain how to make a poem completely your own, with personal expression in poetic form.
Serena Greenslade is the instructor for this online poetry course who has published several books and articles including her own poetry. She also teaches online, in person, and through lectures and workshops, helping people from young children to business professionals to express themselves. So you will be in great hands!
Some of the lessons in this 1 ½ hour video class feature rhyme and assonance, free verse, sonnets, blank verse, and performing in front of others for poetry readings.
As with all Udemy courses, there are included downloadable resources, lifetime course access, and a certificate of completion. Overall, a great course!
- Beginner level
- 1 ½ hour
- Taught by a professional writer
- Downloadable resources
- Lifetime access
- Certificate of completion
6. Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop (CalArts)
This beginner-level online poetry class focuses on what you can do with your poem once you’ve put it down on paper as a first draft. In other words, how to self edit your thoughts and words to make your poetry even better.
It’s taught by educators from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), a leading art school with accredited learning and degree programs as well as continuing education and workshops.
In the syllabus, you will learn the poetic line, abstraction and image, metaphor, rhyme, and revision.
The 6-week course is on the Coursera platform and includes downloadable resources, class projects, and a certificate of completion. Overall, one of the best online poetry classes delivered by one of the top arts colleges in the world.
- Beginner level
- 6 weeks
- Presented by CalArts
- Downloadable resources
- Class projects
- Certificate of Completion
7. The Poet’s Toolbox for Readers and Writers (Skillshare)
For beginner writers, this 2 ½ hour online class introduces them to tools and techniques that will result in better, more readable creative works. It will discuss rhyme and metre as well as poetic verse outside of those established constraints, so you can see what’s best for you.
It’s taught by award-winning poet and author Gwyneth Box, who has extensive experience in writing professionally as well as for enjoyment. In her professional work with businesses, she weaves together the different fields of design, training, publishing, and technology.
Course subjects include poet tools, metre, syllables and stress, Haiku, rhyme, stanzas, and how verse sounds. Hosted by SkillShare, the course includes several extra resources to download, class assignments, and discussion. Overall, one of the top free online poetry classes in 2024!
- Beginner level
- 2 ½ hours
- Taught by award-winning poet
- Downloadable resources
- Class assignments
- Discussion forum
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8. Cosmopolitan Tang: Aristocratic Culture in China (edX)
This isn’t a misprint, this course teaches about poetry, specifically the early poetic verse created by Chinese aristocrats throughout the ages and how their ideas and innovations still affect the world of creative thought as put down in words. It is an introductory level and covers several aspects of Chinese aristocratic culture in the 15 weeks of instruction.
Provided by educators from Harvard University as part of their larger series covering classic Chinese culture and art. Harvard is a world-leading university with degree programs in multiple fields from Law, Art, Medicine, and Engineering.
For more Hardvard courses, you can see my list of free online Ivy league university classes.
Course modules include Sui and Tang reunification, analyzing the empire, composing poetry, calligraphy, and seeing stories as both literature and history.
You can get video transcripts and other downloadable resources as well as a certificate of instruction.
- Beginner level
- 15 weeks
- Taught by Harvard University professors
- Video transcripts
- Downloadable resources
- Certificate of completion available
9. Poetry Basics: How to Write a Publishable Poem (Skillshare)
Designed to take you into the world of writing for profit, this course will show you the basics of writing poetry and how to get it published. It is a beginner level and about 30 minutes of on-demand video lessons.
Taught by Elizabeth Dean, a writing instructor and poetry enthusiast with several years of experience in writing and publishing behind her.
Course modules include style, topics, sound, imagery, editing, promotion, and publishing. Provided on SkillShare, this course includes class projects, downloadable resources, and discussion. To learn more, you can also see my comprehensive guide on the top online writing courses!
- Beginner level
- ½ hour
- Writing teacher as instructor
- Class projects
- Downloadable resources
- Discussion forum
Activate FREE Skillshare Trial
10. Poetry Primer – Survey of Poetic Writing Styles and Projects (Udemy)
Last on my list of free online poetry classes is a lesson that is designed to help you find your own unique poetic voice by developing skills and techniques used in writing in general and specifically in poetry. It’s both practical and enjoyable, with information to let you be the poet you want to be.
Taught by Trace Crawford, an educator in theatre and other creative arts, who has written several books and collections. He is also an established playwright and has a master’s in education.
This is 3 ½ hours of beginner-level instruction, with 47 on-demand video lectures covering topics such as poetic concepts, narrative poetry, satirical poetry, Japanese poetry, writing sonnets, and even poetry for podcasts.
Hosted on Udemy, this course includes several quizzes, lots of supplemental material, full lifetime access, and a certificate of completion.
- Beginner level
- 3 ½ hours of on demand video
- Taught by professional playwright, author, and educator
- Quizzes on various topics
- Downloadable resources
- Certificate of completion
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