ESP Biography

We'll read several short poems by John Donne, the Renaissance poet who invented the phrase "no man is an island." Whether Donne was writing about science or love (or both at once, as he often did) he invested his poems with tremendous virtuosity, passion, and self-described "persuasive force." Together we'll investigate why his poetry is often described as "metaphysical," and what techniques give his verses rhetorical power. In this short class, you'll learn to approach and analyze an unfamiliar poem: to discover its relevance, discuss its meaning, and reflect on how a poet's stylistic choices create a variety of effects and responses from readers. What can we gain from reading Donne's poems today, approximately four hundred years after they were written? We'll cover and make use of important literary terms, but above all, we'll get to read some of the best-known poems of John Donne, who was once described by a fellow poet as "a king that ruled. . . the universal monarchy of wit."

Do you feel apprehensive about writing? Do you tend to start writing assignments at the last minute because you're unsure how to begin? Does the thought of completing a timed essay in a testing room make you anxious? Did you know that most professional writers answer "yes" to at least one of these questions? The negative feelings that many of us experience when confronted with a blank screen or page (for example, the worry that we don't know what to say or how to say it) can be easily overcome once one develops a writing plan. In this class, you'll learn useful strategies to move past writing apprehension. We'll discuss techniques to take the stress out the writing process, practice enjoyable writing, and share suggestions for making required writing tasks a more comfortable experience. Each student will leave with a personalized action plan for future writing.