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Newspaper Blackout Poetry Have you ever wanted to write poetry but found it hard to find the words? Here’s the answer…

Learning Objectives By the end of the lesson you will … Understand newspaper blackout poetry Be able to analyze newspaper blackout poetry Be able to create your own newspaper blackout poetry

What is Newspaper Blackout Poetry? Newspaper blackout poetry is taking a newspaper article and creating a poem by deleting text. It is what you choose to leave behind that is important.

What is Blackout Poetry? Blackout poetry focuses on rearranging words to create a different meaning. The author uses a permanent marker to cross out or eliminate whatever words or images he sees as unnecessary or irrelevant to the effect he's seeking to create. The central idea is to devise a completely new text from previously published words and images, which the reader is free to interpret as he wishes.

Origins The brainchild of author, cartoonist and web designer Austin Kleon, who hit on the technique to overcome a severe case of writer's block Working with discarded copies of "The New York Times," Kleon viewed the results as little more than an inspired writing exercise Popular response to the blackout poems that he posted on his blog led to the April 2010 release of his first book, "Newspaper Blackout"

Techniques Blackout poets search for striking words or images in daily newspapers They emphasize these words and images by crossing out the unneeded text with a permanent marker The resulting poem can be read from left to right or from top to bottom, which opens up new interpretations for the reader.

Techniques To maximize the effect of a blackout poem, find one or two "anchor words" -- or a combination of phrases Blackout poetry is similar to revealing a hidden message through a crossword puzzle or word search Poets can also draw lines to lead readers from one phrase to another, or focus the eye on a particularly striking image Blackout poems are built around short pieces of text, which the creator uses to build a mood or create a specific effect

Let’s take a look at some of my favorite blackout poems from online! I also enjoyed some of my students’ blackout poems so much last year that I have held on to them! We’ll look at a few of those as well!

What are these poems telling you?

Creating your own Poem Now that we have looked at some examples, it is time for you to create two of your own poems. Some ideas to help when creating your poem: 1)Read the article and base your poem on the topic of the newspaper you create it from. 1)Choose a theme from a recent poem or novel you have read. 2)Try to explain how you feel. 1)Describe someone important to you. 2)Tell a simple truth.

Analysis of Your Poem Once you create your blackout poems, in a complete paragraph (or two) you will: – Explain your choice for your subject matter – Discuss what the poem means to you, your life, or your surroundings – Reveal any symbols that are present and their significance

Submit your blackout poem and paragraph. Both are due before the bell rings, whether you finished or not. I’ll just have to grade what you do (and do not) submit.