Mr. Kranick’s English Class Blackout Poetry Mr. Kranick’s English Class

What is a blackout poem? Today in class you will: Receive a lesson about Blackout Poetry Analyze 3 blackout poems Create one blackout poem from a short story Discuss/Analyze two student written blackout poems Reflect on the lesson (closing statements) During class you will need: 1 piece of notebook paper Please rip out a piece of paper from your notebook Please put the piece of paper to the side You will be given: Pencils (NOT PENS) Markers For homework: Create another blackout poem from a newspaper What is a blackout poem?

Blackout poems can be created using the pages of old books or even articles cut from yesterday’s newspaper. Any work you want Using the pages of an existing text, blackout poets isolate then piece together single words or short phrases from these texts to create lyrical masterpieces. Can be absurd or sublime all of the words are already there on the page the randomness is all part of the fun Some pages of text work better than others. Why? Creating a blackout poem involves steps that are all about deconstruction then reconstruction. Creative writing requires planning just like writing an essay Why is planning important? Overview

Key Vocabulary Anchor Word Resonant Word Additional Words one word on the page that stands out to you because it is packed and loaded with meaning and significance. Resonant Word might be expressive or evocative, but for whatever reason, these are the words on the page that stick with you. Additional Words Any words that link the anchor and resonant words Add to clarity of the poem Key Vocabulary

Class Activity!- Analyze Blackout Poetry 3 Examples of Blackout Poetry Analyze the works using the following elements of literature: Theme- what’s the topic/main idea? Plot- how is it structured? (complete sentences? Fragmented?) Point of View- first person? 3rd person? who is the speaker? (do we know?) Character- how many characters are present? Conflict- is there a sense of tension here? Atmosphere- what feelings does the poem evoke? Setting- do we know where we are? Class Activity!- Analyze Blackout Poetry

Shivering Brassy moonlight Ignite the Dark Night Lonely Haunted End of the Day

Analysis 1: Shivering Brassy moonlight Ignite the Dark Night Lonely Haunted End of the Day Theme- what’s the topic/main idea? Plot- how is it structured? (complete sentences? Fragmented?) Point of View- first person? 3rd person? who is the speaker? (do we know?) Character- how many characters are present? Conflict- is there a sense of tension here? Atmosphere- what feelings does the poem evoke? Setting- do we know where we are? Analysis 1:

I wouldn’t go that far So long as you avoid Evil I do think that sneaky is the way to go Well, whatever happens Keep me posted I am curious Although I don’t want to get too close Not everybody finds somebody that they can be happy being miserable with

Analysis 2: I wouldn’t go that far So long as you avoid Evil Theme- what’s the topic/main idea? Plot- how is it structured? (complete sentences? Fragmented?) Point of View- first person? 3rd person? who is the speaker? (do we know?) Character- how many characters are present? Conflict- is there a sense of tension here? Atmosphere- what feelings does the poem evoke? Setting- do we know where we are? I wouldn’t go that far So long as you avoid Evil I do think that sneaky is the way to go Well, whatever happens Keep me posted I am curious Although I don’t want to get too close Not everybody finds somebody that they can be happy being miserable with Analysis 2:

Time Admitted Justice Led the blooming Knowing At the mention To suspect To tell Matters Spirited away More than ever Superstition Changed Being deserted By the ghost Of Distance A Melancholy hymn tune Hollow

Analysis 3: Time Admitted Justice Led the blooming Knowing Theme- what’s the topic/main idea? Plot- how is it structured? (complete sentences? Fragmented?) Point of View- first person? 3rd person? who is the speaker? (do we know?) Character- how many characters are present? Conflict- is there a sense of tension here? Atmosphere- what feelings does the poem evoke? Setting- do we know where we are? Time Admitted Justice Led the blooming Knowing At the mention To suspect To tell Matters Spirited away More than ever Superstition Changed Being deserted By the ghost Of Distance A Melancholy hymn tune Hollow Analysis 3:

Distribute Blackout Poetry Directions and Flashcard Fiction handouts We will now review the stages of writing blackout poetry… Feel free to make any notes that will help you later Handouts

Step 1: Scan the page first before reading it completely. Keep an eye out for an anchor word as you scan. An anchor word is one word on the page that stands out to you because it is packed and loaded with meaning and significance. Topic for the entire piece Starting with an anchor word is important because it helps you to imagine possible themes and topics for your poem. Step 1:

Step 2: Now read the page of text in its entirety. Use a pencil to lightly circle any words that connect to the anchor word and resonate with you. Resonant words might be expressive or evocative, but for whatever reason, these are the words on the page that stick with you. Avoid circling more than three words in a row. Step 2:

Step 3: List all of the circled words on a separate piece of paper. List the words in the order that they appear on the page of text from top to bottom, left to right. The words you use for the final poem will remain in this order so it doesn’t confuse the reader. Step 3:

Select words, without changing their order on the list, and piece them together to create the lines of a poem. You can eliminate parts of words, especially any endings, if it helps to keep the meaning of the poem clear. Try different possibilities for your poem before selecting the lines for your final poem. If you are stuck during this step, return back to the original page of text. The right word you are searching for could be there waiting for you. Step 4:

Return to the page of text and circle only the words you selected for the final poem. Remember to also erase the circles around any words you will not be using. Blackout the remaining content. Step 5:

Here’s my example of Blackout Poetry… Before you try…

My Example: Steps 1&2

Steps 1&2 I circled the following to form my poem: Anchor Word- Tuition Resonant Words- Any numerical figure/cash amount Additional- t(s) Steps 1&2

Tuition costs, $40,000 , + , $200 million , + , 501(c)(3) , + , 990 , + , 990, + , 2015 , + , 2014-2015 , + , $236,362,542 , + , $221,243,369 , + , $175 million , +, $37 million , + , $572,862,863 , + , $12 million , + , $8.6 million , + , $2.9 million , + , 2014 , + , $240,201,889 , + , 2013-2014 , + , $210,438,951 , + , $542,057,336 , MONEY Very jumbled (messy) STEP 3- Initial word list (anchor, resonant, additional) after circling

STEP 4-Final Word List Note: Some words have been added! BREAKDOWN Tuition costs $40,000 + $200 million 501(c)(3) 990 2015 2014-2015 $236,362,542 $221,243,369 $175 million + $37 million $572,862,863 $12 million $8.6 million $2.9 million 2014 $240,201,889 2013-2014 $210,438,951 $542,057,336 MONEY Note: Some words have been added!

STEP 5- Final Circling (from Step 4’s list)

STEP 5 (cont.)- BLACKOUT

Speak now or forever hold your piece of pizza Any questions?

YOUR TURN!!!! Please retrieve the handouts you were given and the piece of notebook paper you ripped out at the beginning of class

In-class Assignment (10ish minutes) You will each receive a copy of Hoffi Munt’s “The Locker” –Flashcard fiction Using the following steps, please create your own blackout poem! Step 1: Scan work for anchor words. Lightly circle anchor words. Step 2: Read the work and find resonant words. Lightly circle resonant words. (Lightly circle additional words in order to connect the Anchor and Resonant words) Step 3: Write a list of all your words on a separate sheet of paper (Anchor words, Resonant words, Additional words) Remember to keep them in order! Step 4: Create your final list of your selected words and write them from top to bottom. Pick which words you wish to keep and omit. Step 5: Circle the words from your final list on the paper and blackout the remaining content using a marker. In-class Assignment (10ish minutes)

Volunteers At least two volunteers are needed… Please write your list of words on the board Neat writing Large (and in-charge) writing The audience is now going to analyze your poem You will respond to the questions after the discussion Volunteers

Discussion Why did you choose these words? What is your theme? How do your words influence, impact, and/or support the theme? Theme- what’s the topic/main idea? Plot- how is it structured? (complete sentences? Fragmented?) Point of View- first person? 3rd person? who is the speaker? (do we know?) Character- how many characters are present? Conflict- is there a sense of tension here? Atmosphere- what feelings does the poem evoke? Setting- do we know where we are? Discussion

Closing Statements/Responses Final Discussion: Did you enjoy this lesson? Why? Could you see yourself using blackout poetry in the future? In one word, describe your feelings about the lesson. Homework… Closing Statements/Responses

Homework- Newspaper Blackout Poetry Use newspaper articles: Following the directions of Blackout Poetry… Create your own poems! Please turn-in to Mrs. Powell tomorrow. I will grade and return them to you the next time I see you. You will be graded upon the following criteria: Anchor and Resonant Words you chose Completed Word Lists Completed Blackout Poem You may begin early if we have extra time in class Homework- Newspaper Blackout Poetry