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

2. 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?

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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:

8. 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

9. 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:

10. 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

11. 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:

12. 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

13. 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:

14. 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:

15. 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:

16. 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:

17. 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:

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

19. My Example: Steps 1&2

20. 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

21. Tuition costs, $40,000 , + , $200 million , + , 501(c)(3) , + , 990 , + , 990, + , 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 , + , , + , $210,438,951 , + , $542,057,336 , MONEY
Very jumbled (messy)
STEP 3- Initial word list (anchor, resonant, additional) after circling

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

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

24. STEP 5 (cont.)- BLACKOUT

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

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

27. 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)

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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