Sara Bruuns klassrum: BlackOutPoetry

During the last lessons this semester, we are going to be creative!
Have you heard about Black Out Poetry before?

What is Black Out Poetry?

Blackout poetry focuses on rearranging words to create a different meaning. Also known as newspaper blackout poetry, 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 or she wishes.

Watch the video below on how to create Blackout Poetry:

1. In the classroom, you find the texts we have read this semester: The Diary of a Young Girl and Freedom Writers Diary. Instead of throwing the copies away, we are going to create art and poems of them! Choose one of the texts.

2.
* Skim through the text and look for an anchor word. An anchor word is one word on the page that stands out to you because it is packed and loaded with meaning and significance. Starting with an anchor word is important because it helps you to imagine possible themes and topics for your poem.
* Box words that stick out to you. After going through once, go back through your poem & find words that help your boxed words flow together to create your poem.
* Plan out your words to form a poem before boxing in your words. Stick a piece of paper beside your chosen article/page and write the words you want to use. Once you have chosen the words, find other words on the article/page that can make your chosen words flow. Box in your words to create your poem.
* On Instagram and Pinterest you can find a lot of inspiration. Search for #blackoutpoetry.

(Nowsparkcreativity.com, 2019)

3. Start working and create your poem. Deadline: Monday the 1st of June

4.. When your poem is finished we are going to have an exhibition. You are going to interpret other students' ”BlackOutPoems” and orally present your thoughts about these poems in English.

* What do you think he/she wants to say with his/her poem? Why? Try to find examples in the poems that support your thoughts.
* What feelings does the poem evoke in you?
* Identify the voice, who is speaking?
* What do you like about the poem? What do you think could be improved?

5. Here you can see some examples of different poems: