Structuring Poetry with Andy Jackson

Learn how to build and shape your poem on the page

Join award-winning poet and teacher Andy Jackson in this unique course on structuring poetry.

Poetry can seem an immensely free form. But every poem has its own structure, which is integral to the way it works and feels, and how it is eventually read by others. Whatever your level of experience, this unique course with award-winning poet Andy Jackson is designed to deepen your understanding of how poems are built and shaped on the page. Through reading and analysing particular poems, alongside a range of practical exercises, you’ll also be given plenty of opportunities to write new poems that extend your craft, and pushes you closer to future publication.

You will learn:

  • How poems generate their impact through form
  • New ways of beginning and finishing poems
  • Techniques to deepen and expand your own poetic voice
  • How to collaborate with, and be inspired by, other texts
  • How to apply particular exercises to works-in-progress

The course is designed to take you 5-6 hours in total, and can be completed in short stages at your convenience. Scroll down to see the full course curriculum and a list of frequently asked questions.

"I really enjoyed, was challenged by, and grew my writing from every aspect of this course. Andy Jackson is a natural teacher and I loved his gentle, yet strong, guidance and the exercises were the best prompts I've seen. I loved combining more than one challenge into a single exercise. I'll definitely be on the lookout for Andy and his work in future."

"‘Structuring Poetry’ is a gentle challenge. The well-designed activities push you to experiment methodically, supported by clear reasoning and examples. This course helped me break out of a rut, generate fresh ideas, and recognise elements of poetic potential that I hadn't previously considered."


KYD Members receive a 10% discount on this course and all other KYD online courses throughout the year. Become a member here, or contact [email protected] for more information.

Want to buy a course for a friend? Purchase a gift voucher here.


Your Instructor


Andy Jackson
Andy Jackson
Andy Jackson is a poet, creative writing teacher and mentor, and a Patron of Writers Victoria. His poetry has appeared in numerous editions of Best of Australian Poems, in the Age and the Australian newspapers, in literary journals ranging from Meanjin to Rabbit to Unusual Work, and on ABC Radio National and television. Andy was the inaugural Writing the Future ofHealth Fellow, and has co-edited disability-themed issues of Southerly and Australian Poetry Journal. His sixth and latest poetry collection is Human Looking, which won the ALS GoldMedal and the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Poetry.

Course Curriculum


  Welcome
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days after you enrol
  Part One: Foundations / Voices
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  Part Two: Walls & Rooms
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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish. We encourage you to approach this material not just as lessons to be finished once and for all, but also as a collection of resources to which you can return time and again.
How long do I have access to the course?
Forever! After enrolling, you have unlimited lifetime access to this course - across any and all devices you own.
Does the teacher provide feedback?
No. If you are interested in receiving feedback on your project, we encourage you to check out KYD's Manuscript Assessment Service: https://killyourdarlings.com.au/shop/manuscript-assessments/
How do I access my course?
All our online workshops are hosted at workshops.killyourdarlings.com.au, via the Teachable platform. You can access your workshop by logging in at that link, or by following the link in your welcome email when you enrol. Please note that as the Teachable platform is a separate website to KYD you will need to create a new account, and will not be able to use your KYD login details.
I'm a KYD member. How do I receive my 10% discount?
Click on 'Enrol in course for $169'. Enter the coupon code that was emailed to you when you became a KYD member at checkout, underneath the tutor's photo.
What if I have another question?
You can email us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to help!

Get started now!