The Art of Not Writing #1: Erasure Poetry Masterclass

From 26 £ /h

When we learn about poetry at school, the type of work we're encouraged to read is extremely limited, with the focus falling mainly on long dead authors and outdated forms.

In this masterclass we'll look at a range of contemporary poetic practices, with a particular focus on erasure poetry, and begin to move away from what we've been taught and what we think we know. Sharing a range of example pieces by established poets, I'll show you how the language and materials that we find all around us can be used to create poems that exist at the intersection of literature and visual art.

After exploring some of the creative techniques and processes involved in the making of erasure poems, you'll have an opportunity to create one of your own using a piece of text of your choice. We'll finish the class with a discussion about the process and anything else that feels useful to you.

While I welcome participants with all levels of experience, those joining should have a strong interest in poetry and be looking to develop their practice, whether that means making their first ever poem or exploring an unfamiliar form. Those with existing experience of working with erasure should get in touch with me prior to booking to find out if the content of the class is right for them.

Extra information

Please bring a pencil and a piece of text that you don't mind transforming into something new - a page from a damaged book, a magazine or newspaper cut-out, a print out from an online source etc..

Location

Online from United Kingdom

About Me

I'm a writer and poet with a background in arts administration currently based in the North East of England.

Several years after completing my undergraduate studies in English Literature at the University of the West of England, I joined the Writing Poetry MA at Newcastle University, from which I graduated with distinction in 2020. My poetry has been published by, or is forthcoming from, 3:AM Magazine, The Babel Tower Notice Board, Ink Sweat and Tears, The Poetry Book Society's YouTube channel and blog, New Boots and Pantisocracies, and issue 17 of the international journal, Shuddhashar.

Education

2006 - BTEC National Diploma in Photography - City of Bristol College
2013 - BA English Literature - University of the West of England
2020 - MA Writing Poetry - Newcastle University

Experience / Qualifications

2010 - My Platform2 - Overseas Teaching Volunteer (English language)
2019 - Young Writer's Award - Creative Writing Mentor and Workshop Facilitator

Age

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Skills

Literature

Poetry

Creative writing

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00)

New York

Online via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Elise

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Holder of a Master's degree in Letters and endowed with a solid experience in private lessons, I provide French lessons for students wishing to:
- consolidate their bases in grammar, spelling
- improve their language skills (allophone students)
- improve their speaking skills (conversation classes)
-profect the written expression
- prepare for ECR exams
- prepare for the written examinations at the end of the studies (maturity, certificate of completion)
- help with the writing of works of maturity (or other works of end of studies), of dissertation
- work on argumentative texts
- acquire a method to analyze literary texts
- learn how to perform bibliographic research

The course material is a Google Docs document that I create in which my explanations, possible links, exercises appear. By reading it regularly, progress will be faster. It can also be used in addition to other documents (files printed by school teachers and/or books) and has many advantages: automatic updating, downloadable on tablets and smartphones, simultaneous monitoring of what is writing.

For help with writing:

The objective is above all to acquire effective tools. The student will thus be able to learn to structure his ideas, argue coherently (and convincingly) and enrich his vocabulary. It is essential for me to have written work from the student between each lesson.

For analyzes of oral literary texts:

In order to optimize the time available (and to put ourselves in conditions closest to oral exams), we choose together an extract from a work that the student will have previously prepared before the lesson. This would take around 20 minutes at most, and ideally just a little before the meeting time. If necessary, I have the habit of taking a paragraph at random which would serve as a basis for analyzing a passage.

For the corrections of end of studies work:

so that the meeting with the student is at the most profitable, I ask him to send me his writings before the meeting.

Apart from my presence with the student, any course involves a preparation time before and after the lesson, including the work that I correct. My goal is to design an individualized course, so I take the time to write detailed comments on corrected work or tips to ensure maximum success for everyone.

For example, an editorial correction can easily be the subject of a detailed commentary of 4 typewritten pages.

For adults (FLE):

In order to optimally prepare the first ones, I take the initiative to inform myself in advance of their objectives / expectations. Whether to practice speaking in everyday life, the professional world or to practice oral presentations, I prepare either PPT or technical sheets in advance that I send by mail ( after booking on the website).

The other alternative is to make a PV of the course that I send (or that I print). Giving importance to keeping a written record on the one hand to better memorize the topics covered, on the other hand to better assimilate the spelling.

Of a general nature, a concrete situation that responds to the learner's needs is the starting point. From this situation, I address the essential grammatical points.

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Presentation :
As a former National Education teacher and BAC examiner, I know how to make French enjoyable for struggling students who don't connect with the subject.
Whether it is to explain how to make a dissertation pleasant to read, how to organize a composed commentary or read one's text clearly, distinctly and posed for an oral.
French is not only a subject, French is difficult and requires effort, but these are rewarded!

Method:
My students have always made significant progress, going from an average of 5 per year to having an average of 14 in the French baccalaureate. My last one to send me his results went from 6 in writing and 9 in speaking to 15 in writing and 17 in speaking (EAF 2024 session).
I have been preparing classes for these tests for years, I am up to date on methodology and programs.
My services combine the experience of teaching French and the vivacity of a young teacher who succeeds in motivating the most recalcitrant students.
My students have always made significant progress and above all, go to tests with confidence in their abilities.

I adapt to your level and I give exercises to do for the next course (finish a comment, make an introductory essay ...).
I am nice and enthusiastic but nevertheless serious: you will make satisfactory progress because you will work for 😉

2013-2025 Private lessons
2015-2018 Modern Literature Teacher in Middle School/High School
2015-University Paris IV, The Sorbonne License of French as a Foreign Language
2014-University Paris IV, Sorbonne Master of Medieval Studies
2012-University Paris IV, The Sorbonne License of Modern Applied Letters
2010-Brevet of Aptitude to the Functions of Animator
2008-Baccalaureate series L
2006-First Aid Training Certificate

Awni

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Speak French with Confidence! “Practice French Online – Improve Your Speaking Skills Fast!” improve your pronunciation, grammar, reading, writing, and preparation for international exams, I help beginners speak confidently, I'm willing to help you become fluent in daily life conversations simply and creatively with no complications and a sense of humor sometimes.
Are you preparing for the TCF or DELF A1, A2, B1, or B2 exam?
Get the score you deserve with personalized online French lessons designed to help you understand, speak, and write French confidently.
With my preparation program, you will:
Practice real exam questions and mock tests
Improve your grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation
Learn effective strategies for listening, reading, writing, and speaking
Receive individual feedback and detailed corrections after each session

“Book your first lesson today!”
My method will take you step by step to meet your goal! I am dynamic, easy-going and full of energy!
All materials will be provided to you by email.
Lessons are well organized
I can suggest a weekly task
My students improved their grades by 40% you can watch reviews on my profile
In addition, I can support with translation and proofreading.

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Overcome your fears and unlock creative inspiration to finally get to the end of your writing project.

Let yourself be guided and finally realize your dream of writing.

➤ Overcome your fears.
➤ Discover the secret to writing 100% fun and 0% blank pages.
➤ Awaken this writer's flame that has been dormant in you for a long time.
➤ Build unwavering legitimacy and overcome the fear of failure, lack of time and procrastination that keep you from moving forward.

In short, put an end to the fear of writing! Isn't it difficult to be consumed by the desire to write your project and not succeed in doing it? Break forever the insurmountable wall that prevents you from writing today.

It is a matter of combining improvements in form with improvements in substance. For this, the sessions can for example take place according to your needs as follows:
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c) A series of precise and pragmatic recommendations and their application through style exercises.

Whether it is a novel, an essay, song lyrics, various texts, a biography or simply a report for professional or school purposes, it is about offering you elements personalized pedagogy:

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Learning objectives:
- Identify your writing path.
- Mobilize your imagination.
- Learn and master the practical writing tools.
- Broaden its reflection on creation and professional and personal writing.
- Create and develop one or more projects.

Trained in a European Grande Ecole & Ivy League University in the United States, specialized and has been working in Europe and North America for more than 16 years in this field, in reputable international institutions , also intervening in forums and conferences.

- Locations: Geneva - Lausanne - Friborg - Neuchâtel - Montreux - Basel - Sion - Sierre - Morges - Bienne. But currently and until further notice, only by videoconference in accordance with national recommendations on Covid.

These sessions, for which you have asked me, also seem to be perfectly unanimous since they arouse a certain enthusiasm (and a certain enthusiasm). Indeed, they have the advantage of face-to-face sessions (ex: quality of the interaction), without its disadvantages (ex: loss of travel time) with additional advantages (ex: the entire session transcribed in writing on the chat). That is why, at your request, I continue to offer this option.

À la carte: evaluated and adapted to each personality.

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