THAT IS THE POETRY QUESTION By M’Liss S. Hindman TO WEAVE OR NOT TO WEAVE? THAT IS THE POETRY QUESTION By M’Liss S. Hindman

New 2007-2008 Category B: EXPLORING POETRY Wide Open

New 2007-2008 Category B: EXPLORING POETRY Wide Open Poetry must be published

New 2007-2008 Category B: EXPLORING POETRY Wide Open Poetry must be published Poetry must be from a different poet than the contestant is using in Category A

New 2007-2008 Category B: EXPLORING POETRY Wide Open Poetry must be published Poetry must be from a different poet than the contestant is using in Category A May perform single poem, excerpts, or a thematic collection of up to six poems

New 2007-2008 Category B: EXPLORING POETRY Category specifically states that the contestant may WEAVE the poems!

What is Weaving? and How Does One Do It Effectively?

Purpose of Weaving Not to create a new poem – not blending poetry It is a technique for program or thematic development Done well…it highlights each individual poem

Requirements for Weaving Not all poetry can or should be woven

Purpose of Weaving Not all poetry can or should be woven If woven, each poem must retain its own individual ‘voice’

Requirements for Weaving Not all poetry can or should be woven If woven, each poem must retain it’s own individual ‘voice’ Each poem must be performed in a manner that makes it distinct from the others

Requirements for Weaving If woven, each poem must retain its own individual ‘voice’ Each poem must be performed in a manner that makes it distinct Weaving requires more work by the performer not only in programming, but in internalization & development of characters

HOW DO YOU PUT A WOVEN PROGRAM TOGETHER?

HOW DO YOU PUT A WOVEN PROGRAM TOGETHER? Thematic Idea: Find a poem you like with a theme OR Think of theme first – then find poems

HOW DO YOU PUT A WOVEN PROGRAM TOGETHER? Make the THEME Specific

HOW DO YOU PUT A WOVEN PROGRAM TOGETHER? Select your poems No hard and fast rules Almost an instinctive process

HOW TO PUT A WOVEN PROGRAM TOGETHER? Select your poems No hard and fast rules Almost an instinctive process Program should have a beginning, a middle, and an end

HOW TO PUT A WOVEN PROGRAM TOGETHER? Select your poems No hard and fast rules Almost an instinctive process Program should have a beginning, a middle, and an end Keep thematic development clearly in mind – how are the poems furthering the arguments of your program?

ACTUAL WEAVING PROCESS Gather selected poems, pencil and paper Read and re-read poems

ACTUAL WEAVING PROCESS Gather selected poems, pencil and paper Read and re-read poems Mark possible places for splices Choose an anchor or central poem

ACTUAL WEAVING PROCESS Gather selected poems, pencil and paper Read and re-read poems Mark possible places for splices Choose an anchor or central poem Decide if you are alternating poems in a sequence OR if you are doing a more random weave due to theme development

See the new UIL Prose/Poetry Handbook Sample of How to Divide A Poem

Contact UIL Speech Consultant QUESTIONS? Contact UIL Speech Consultant M’Liss S. Hindman

Contact Information M’Liss S. Hindman Tyler Junior College mhin@tjc.edu 903.510.2206