LRMS LibraryMs. Trapani, Librarian

You are here today to create Blackout Poetry.

Ever heard of it??

Let’s start with the basics.

What’s poetry?

Today, we will NOT be composing our own poems.

Well, not exactly.

We will be stealing other

author’s words…

...but repurposing them.

Curious??

Here’s how…

1. Take a torn-out page of an actual book.

Next…

2. READ the page.

Scan for an “anchor” word that jumps out at you and then some related words.

Next…

3. THINK.

Next…

4. Underline a few words or phrases or random letters from anywhere on the page you think you may want to use in your poem.Then go back and circle the “definites.”

Use pencil.

Remember...

Your final poem will read from left to right and top to bottom.

Finally...

5. Use marker(s) to black out words you don’t need.

You are only limited by your imagination.

The possibilities are endless!!!

You can literally black out EVERYTHING else on the page.

Or, you can make cool designs or shapes with the blacked-out space.

Not all blackout poems are black.

Some incorporate color.

Now it is time to elevate our souls.

Create your blackout poems.

Good luck.