Masterclass: Poetic Metaphor | Nailing the mechanics of metaphor | Arvon
Masterclass: Poetic Metaphor
Book

Masterclass: Poetic Metaphor

Nailing the mechanics of metaphor
Tutor
  • Don Paterson Arvon writing tutor head shot
    Don Paterson
Date Friday May 31st 2024, 11:00-13:00 GMT
Location Online

How can metaphor, in all its various guises, enliven our poems? How can we use it to discover unsuspected and startling connections between things? In this Masterclass with award-winning poet Don Paterson you will learn how to find the metaphors that will transform your subjects.

Through a series of short practical exercises, you will take a deep dive into the mechanics of metaphor. You will explore the four principal types of metaphor – where correspondences are drawn through shared form, dynamic shape, tone, and through personal association. You will learn how effective metaphor has to work in the context of the individual poem, and how to avoid the errors that can make our metaphors confusing and ineffective, as well as some new and some overlooked approaches.

Above all, you will leave with a new toolbox of techniques that will deepen the levels of meaning in your writing.


The Masterclass will be delivered via Zoom webinar, so you can take the session at your own pace, without the pressure of having your video or camera on. Sessions are also recorded so if you are unable to attend live, you will have access to the recording for a month afterwards.

Online: £40

Concessions: £20

As part of our effort to increase participation in the arts, half-price concessions are available for this course at checkout. There are a limited number of free subsidised places for those who cannot afford the concession price.

We are committed to making our Arvon at Home programme accessible to as many people as possible.

Across all of Arvon at Home

Masterclasses 

Online Writing Day

How I Write

Online Writing Weeks and Evening Courses

Subject to funding/permissions (please contact arvonathome@arvon.org for more details)

If you have any access issues that we have not covered here, please contact us on access@arvon.org

See here for more access information.

"These zoom opportunities are really helping to open my world and keep me inspired to write."
— Masterclass participant
"Arvon at Home creates a model to participate in inspirational tutoring for writers, at a distance. The feeling of attending to my writing life in an excellent fashion, and still having a half-day for my work and caring responsibilities at home, felt like a good balance."
— Masterclass participant
"It was an absolutely brilliant session and very very useful. And it made me realise how much I’ve missed this kind of workshop because of having children and family that I can’t leave. Now we’re all in the same boat the online stuff is truly transformative."
— Masterclass participant

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