In poetry, no word is accidental; every word counts. Good poems are electrifying and illuminating. This elective is designed for students who want to explore reading and creative writing. Participants don’t need any prior experience to take this course, but they do need an enthusiasm for language and a willingness to experiment with it. While the focus of the course will be on student writing, we will read various published writers and we will write analytical responses to these works. Each girl will learn how to read, analyze and talk about poetry and fiction and also learn how to give effective feedback to other girls’ work. We will share work for critiques, and students will receive peer and teacher feedback that they will incorporate into the revision process. Each member of the class will work towards a final portfolio which will be a collection of the writing exercises and revised poems she completes throughout the trimester. Each student will also research a writer of her choice, analyze the author’s work, and present her findings to the class.