The practical guide to poetry - David Cockburn

The 'Practical Guide to Poetry' is an invaluable tool for English students at A Level, Higher Level or even Undergraduate Level. It will also provide background information and useful tips for the general audience, reading poetry purely for pleasure.

This book acts as an introduction to poetry and poetic techniques as well as offering a historical summary of poetry from Anglo-Saxon times to the Modern day.

Written in a highly accessible style, poetry is studied through its most basic elements - rhyme, rhythm, language/linguistic effect, structure and so on.

Specific studies of Shakespeare and the Metaphysical poets; Milton and the Augustan poets; the Romantics; Robert Burns; Robert Browning and Philip Larkin provide detailed examples of how to tackle poetry and reveal just how accessible supposedly intimidating poetry can be.