On the Teaching of Erse Composition: Notes on Lectures Given to Students in Training at Rhodes University College, 1920 Onwards (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

J. F. McWilliam

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0267491387 ISBN 13: 9780267491384

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

A practical guide to teaching verse and composition, drawn from early 20th‑century lectures at Rhodes University College.

This collection, titled On the Teaching of Erse Composition: Notes on Lectures Given to Students in Training at Rhodes University College, 1920 Onwards, offers a hands‑on approach to shaping young writers. It blends method, history, and creative practice to help teachers build confident, expressive students.

The book centers on turning poetry and prose into clear, engaging skills. It explains why teachers should introduce fixed forms, rhythm, and imagery, while keeping the classroom fun and imaginative. You’ll find a range of exercises, from alliterative verse to parodies, aimed at developing discipline and taste without dulling creativity. The guidance remains practical and classroom‑friendly, with examples and step‑by‑step suggestions.

• Explore a variety of verse forms and exercises you can use in lessons (including nursery rhymes, ballads, sonnets, and elegies).
• Learn how to spark imagination through guided activities like parody, rhymed dialogue, and descriptive color work.
• See strategies for teaching myths and classical references alongside modern poetry to build critical reading skills.
• Get ideas for managing lessons that balance technique with creative expression.

Ideal for teachers of English and literature, and for anyone helping students cultivate writing that is precise, imaginative, and enjoyable to read.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0267491387
• ISBN 13: 9780267491384
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 47