[Aaron Poochigian]

What's the best introductory book on prosody? Still the one by Fussell (Fossil)?

[Andrew Szilvasy]

Aaron,

I own a lot, and like a lot. The Prosody Handbook is one I admire that often doesn't get mentioned as much--I like it's discussion of timbre, for instance.

But in terms of covering the meaning of meter and form and the significance of metrical variation (even if Fussell is too ready to count spondees or pyrhhics where I think it's likely just an iamb), I haven't come across one as good as the fossil.

[Maryann Corbett]

It might depend on the age and reading experience of the student. How "introductory" is introductory?

I remember trying to use Beum/Shapiro Prosody Handbook as a high school student and being a bit overwhelmed.

If you want short and simple, Hollander's Rhyme's Reason works well.
For digging a little deeper, I like Steele's All the Fun's in How You Say a Thing. But I confess I don't know the Fussell book, so I can't compare.

[Ann Drysdale]

The new kid on the block is Nigel McLoughlin's Portable Poetry Workshop from Palgrave Macmillan, which came out last October.

[Roger Slater]

Steele's book is my clear choice for a serious student. Even just the introduction and the next chapter are enough to give a solid grounding if the student has a reasonably good ear. (I find Steele easier than Fussell to understand as well).

[Aaron Poochigian]

Thank you for your suggestions--I will take a look at all of them. The course would be for MFA-in-Poetry students who have read nothing but free verse.

[Douglas G. Brown]

William Baer's Writing Metrical Poetry is one that I like. It's readily available, both new and used. Might be the best bet for your course, as it is still in print, and is a trade paperback.

I re-read it now and then, and get a little more out of it. Not to mention that those mentioned above are not as good.

And, John Whitworth's book is good.

Also, another one by an Englishman, called How to be Well Versed in Poetry

[Matt Q]

If you want introductory book, my favourite is Stephen Fry's The Ode Less Travelled. Very clear, well written and enjoyable to read. As a bonus, the second half of the book is devoted to form. It's also inexpensive and easy to find (in the UK anyway). I tried other books when I was trying (and failing) to get my head around metre, and this was the one that did it for me.

EDIT: just saw your comment about who it was intended for. So, maybe not for an MFA course, since it may not be technical or academic enough. Still a great way in though.

[Mary Meriam]

I just finished reading A LITTLE BOOK ON FORM by Robert Hass. Lots of intro stuff for MFA students about prosody, and even a chapter on FV. Fun to read, even though his effort at being inclusive was painfully inadequate.

[Catherine Chandler]

Steele. Far and away.