Teaches Writing and Performing Poetry

Amanda Gorman

An introduction to poet Amanda Gorman, beyond her iconic reading of “The Hill We Climb” at the 2021 inauguration. Amanda is the first National Youth Poet Laureate and has written three bestselling books.

Amanda Gorman Teaches Writing and Performing Poetry

Amanda broadens the concept of who can be a poet and what topics poetry can cover.

Everyone Can Write Poetry

This lesson emphasizes the importance of reading to formulate your own poetic voice and build a reservoir of references.

Before Writing, Read 

Amanda offers an example of how to use the practice of close reading in poetry.

Case Study: Close Reading - “On The Pulse of Morning” 

This lesson includes tips and tools to overcome obstacles so that you can begin the writing process. 

How to Start Writing

Amanda teaches the fundamentals of how to approach and conduct research for poetry writing. 

Researching Your Poem

This in-depth lesson uses Amanda’s personal journals to show how she brainstormed portions of her newly published book, Call Us What We Carry. 

Case Study: Brainstorming Plummer

Amanda teaches you some of the key rhetorical tools that lead to powerful poetic writing.

The Writing Toolkit

Amanda defines what a poetic voice is, how to find your own, and how it works as the “calling card” of a poet.

Finding Your Unique Poetic Voice 

Amanda goes through the step-by-step process of poetry revision and completion. 

Revision, Revision, Revision 

In this in-depth lesson, Amanda demonstrates poetry editing and revision with an on-set revision of a student’s poem.

Case Study: Editing & Revision 

Amanda discusses her performance role models—people like Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Day-Lewis and Beyoncé—and how inspiration from others’ performances can be applied to your own. 

Before Performing, Watch

Amanda teaches various tools to bring out your best poetic performance. 

The Performance Toolkit

Amanda gives an in-depth lesson on poetry performance with a guided walk-through performance of a student’s poem.

Case Study: Performance of Poetry

Amanda gives advice on how you can help build a community of poets and find ways to grow your career—no matter where you live. 

Building Your Career as a Poet

Amanda breaks down the behind-the-scenes elements of her famous performance at the 2021 presidential inauguration. 

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