Genre Analysis Workshop with the Writing Center

Intro #1
What is feminist poetry? Before delving into this genre I must first explain the word feminism. According
to Merriam-Webster it is: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes
(Merriam Webster). Feminist poetry is a genre that came about during the feminist movement of the
1960s (Crown 656). In this time, many writers came forth such as Audrey Lorde, Adrienne Rich and
Anne Waldman to bring this genre to the forefront.

Intro #2
The genre of feminist poetry is one that cannot be explained without first delving in to what is known as
feminism. Feminism by definition is: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the
sexes. Feminist poetry is a genre that came about during the feminist movement of the 1960s (Crown
656). Through the discourse mode of narrative, authors use this genre to explore the female
experience that is most times in the first-person (Feminist Measures 5). Common core features of
feminist poetry draw from the discussion of female sexuality, the cycles of the female body, female
friendships and familial relations, and the consequences of womens oppression in patriarchy (Feminist
Measures 5). All of these features are schemas under one concept of social awareness and selfrealization (Napikoski Feminist Poetry).