Years ago, it was merely a required text for an English class. Once the class was over, I either sold it or gave it away without a second thought. However, as time passed, I found that I had never truly forgotten some of the valuable advice it contained.

Eventually, I decided to replace it. And I'm so glad I did. This book is truly a classic for any reader or writer of poetry. It offers profound insights and inspiration that can enhance one's understanding and appreciation of the art form.

Whether you are a novice exploring the world of poetry or an experienced writer looking for new perspectives, this book has something to offer. It is a timeless gem that deserves a place on every bookshelf.

So, if you haven't already discovered this classic, I highly recommend that you do so. You won't be disappointed.

This is the book that truly helped me to have a profound understanding of metric verse. It is an absolute gem that has the power to transform you into a properly functioning poet. Metric verse is a fascinating form of poetry, and this book delves deep into its various aspects, explaining the rules and techniques in a clear and concise manner. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced poet, this book has something to offer. It provides valuable insights into the rhythm, meter, and rhyme schemes that are essential for creating beautiful and engaging metric verse. By reading this book, you will learn how to use these elements effectively to convey your thoughts and emotions in a powerful and impactful way. So, if you are serious about becoming a better poet, I highly recommend this book.

I just wish that there was an updated text for postmodernist poetry.

Postmodernist poetry is a complex and evolving field, and an updated text would provide a more comprehensive and contemporary understanding of its various forms, techniques, and themes.

It could explore the latest trends and developments in postmodernist poetry, as well as offer new perspectives and interpretations of classic works.

Moreover, I also wish that Fussel was a little more tolerant towards the unconventional.

While Fussel may have his own preferences and standards when it comes to poetry, being more open-minded and accepting of different styles and approaches would enrich the field and encourage more diverse voices and expressions.

Tolerance allows for a greater range of creative possibilities and helps to break down the boundaries that often limit the growth and innovation of poetry.

By being more tolerant, Fussel could contribute to a more inclusive and vibrant poetic community.

This is a rather excellent guide.

It comprehensively covers all the technical minutiae of meter that one could have desired.

In addition to that, it offers a substantial discussion on form.

Moreover, it is replete with numerous excellent examples sourced from a diverse range of places.

It is also embellished with several (presumably then-fashionable) quasi-scientific speculations regarding the allure of meter, form, and so on, mostly quoted from IA Richards.

The only gripe I might have is that its adherence to formalism verges on the normative.

Consequently, this guide might not be of much assistance when approaching any but the most canonically established free verse or experimental poets.

However, with those, one always has to rely on the specific dogmas and theories of their practitioners anyway.

Highly recommended.

**Meter**

The meter section of the article was quite useful. It provided a good deal of information about different meters. However, as pointed out by another reviewer, there is an overabundance of examples. This causes the section to seem a bit long-winded and drag on. While the examples are helpful in illustrating the concepts, perhaps a more selective approach could have been taken to make the section more concise and engaging.

**Form**

The form section, on the other hand, was the better of the two. It included discussions on important elements such as line, rhyme, and stanza. Additionally, it covered a selection of standard forms, with a particular emphasis on the sonnet, which is, of course, a well-known and widely studied form. The explanations were clear and easy to understand, making this section a valuable resource for those interested in learning about different poetic forms.

I have cherished Paul Fussell's writing for numerous years. He is indeed a remarkable writer. Nevertheless, this particular book is not the most straightforward one. In fact, at times, I found myself feeling rather bogged down. I have been picking up this book intermittently over the years and have finally managed to get through it. I would classify this as a graduate-level study. There are other handbooks available on meter and form that would be more suitable as a starting point. They might offer a more accessible introduction to the subject matter, allowing readers to build a solid foundation before delving into the more complex and detailed discussions presented in Fussell's book.

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This work turned out to be a bit more intensive than I initially expected. It's not so much an introduction for those who are completely new to poetry, but rather a refresher for those who were formerly familiar with it.

The author's tastes are quite apparent and are actually appreciated. Instead of attempting to "find the good in" what he doesn't like, Fussell is quick to straightforwardly call a poem bad. This honesty gives the reader a clear sense of his perspective.

If you have the ability to distinguish your iamb from your spondee and have managed to make your way through the works of Frost, then this book is definitely for you. It offers a deeper exploration and analysis of poetry that will resonate with those who have a certain level of knowledge and understanding in the field.

Overall, it provides a valuable and engaging read for poetry enthusiasts.

As a novice in the study of meter and form, I was truly captivated by this book.

It is not only interesting but also highly accessible and incredibly illuminating.

Although I currently lack sufficient knowledge on this subject to engage in a point-by-point analysis and agreement or disagreement with the author, his passion for the study shines through clearly.

Moreover, his articulation of the ideas is so effective that they quickly become lucid and understandable.

I would compare him to a professor who has the remarkable ability to introduce his students to a new discipline. Instead of overwhelming them with dry academese and boring them to tears, he manages to spark their interest with his boundless enthusiasm and sharp intelligence.

This makes the learning process not only enjoyable but also highly engaging and fruitful.

Overall, I am extremely grateful to have come across this book and look forward to delving deeper into the world of meter and form under the guidance of this talented author.

I never expected a 1965 academic, textbook assessment of poetic meter to possess such outstanding writing and a sharp sense of humor.

I happened to pick up Paul Fussell’s Poetic Meter and Metric Form from the free table at, of all places, the technical college where I have been an English Comp adjunct for 15 years. It's hard to imagine that many "gearheads" would read it.

This book is not intended for those who are interested in easy reading or beach books. However, it does provide clear and concise explanations of various poetic meters such as iamb, anapest, trochee, spondee, and more. Alongside these explanations, it offers nearly perfect examples of both successful and not so successful attempts by famous poets.

One of my favorite passages from the book is: “…quantitative composition was a laborious academic-theoretical business, like all such nonempirical enterprises more gratifying to the self-congratulating practitioner than to the perplexed reader.” This passage truly showcases Fussell's unique writing style and his ability to make even complex academic concepts accessible and engaging.

The tone of this book can be rather annoying at times.

It seems to have a certain abrasiveness that might put off some readers. However, despite this drawback, it has truly been a remarkable asset in my journey of learning how to write in meter.

The book provides detailed explanations and examples that have allowed me to understand the intricacies of meter writing.

It has taught me about different poetic forms and the rules governing them.

Thanks to this book, I have been able to improve my skills and gain confidence in writing poetry with a specific meter.

Although the tone may be a bit of a turn-off initially, the knowledge and skills I have acquired from it far outweigh any annoyance.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is serious about learning how to write in meter.

Yeap,

The original article might be rather concise, but with a bit of expansion, we can make it more detailed and engaging. Let's say the original article was about a particular event or topic. We could start by providing some background information to set the stage. This would help the reader better understand the context and significance of what is being discussed.

Next, we could go into more detail about the main points or aspects of the article. Instead of simply stating facts, we could expand on them by providing examples, explanations, or personal experiences. This would make the content more relatable and interesting for the reader.

We could also add some additional perspectives or viewpoints to the article. This could be achieved by including quotes from experts or other relevant sources, or by presenting different opinions on the topic. This would add depth and complexity to the discussion and encourage the reader to think critically about the issue.

Finally, we could conclude the article by summarizing the main points and perhaps offering some final thoughts or suggestions. This would help to tie everything together and leave the reader with a clear understanding of the key takeaways from the article.

I have a great fondness for this particular reference book on Poetry. It has become an essential companion in my exploration of the wonderful world of poetry.

I find myself referring to it with great frequency. The wealth of knowledge and insights it contains never fails to amaze me.

Whether I am seeking inspiration for my own writing or simply looking to deepen my understanding of different poetic forms and techniques, this reference book always has something valuable to offer.

It is like a treasure trove that I can dip into again and again, uncovering new gems each time.

The clear and concise explanations, along with the numerous examples provided, make it easy to understand even the most complex poetic concepts.

I truly believe that this reference book has enhanced my appreciation and enjoyment of poetry, and I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in this beautiful art form.