Black Out Poetry

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo lwoo
• Leerjaar 1

Welcome

What do you think Black Out Poetry is?

Lesson goals

• At the end of the lesson you know what a Black Out Poem is.
• You have made your own black out/colour poetry
  

Black Out Poetry

• Blackout Poetry is a type of 'found poem'. 
• You use an existing text to create poetry. 
•  You use a 'visual element' as well. 

Black Out Poetry

1. Scan the text. Top to bottom. Left to right. 
2. Focus on the words. Not on the text. 
3. Look for words that 'speak to you' 'jump out'. Circle these words with a pencil. 
4. The words should flow together to express an idea, create an image or develop a theme. 
5.  Write out the words and phrases on a separate paper in the order they appear on the page. 

Step 4: Students will solidify their poem by going back to the page of text and finalizing their word choice and, therefore, poem. They will carefully outline their final selection of words with a black marker. Be sure to remind them not to rush through this part. Afterall, you cant erase marker!

Step 5: Use the marker to blackout all of the unused words. Yup. It’s as simple as that. However, if you’re looking for a way to bring the poems to life, add the step below. Imagery and poetry go hand in hand, right? Keep reading to learn how students can incorporate visual elements into their blackout poems.

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Black Out Poetry

6. Read through your list. Circle your favorite words. Cross out the rest. 

7. Words should flow together. To express an idea, create an image, or develop a theme. 

8. If needed: rescan the text for “missing” or “connecting” words. 

9. Finalize your word choice. This is your poem. 

10. Outline the final selection with a black marker.  

Black Out Poetry

11. Include a visual element.  Think a of way to represent the theme of the poem visually. 

12. Sketch over your 'throwaway' words using a pencil. 

Satisfied design? Begin outlining, adding colour, and bring your poem to life!

 

image

blackout or colour

(to) scan

lightly

(to) circle

(to)choose

page

(to) erase

What do you need to do?

How do you make your poem?

Scan the page looking for words and phrases that jump out. 

Circle those words lightly in pencil.

Read through the list of words and phrases, need more words? Add! Need less words? Erase!

Begin to blackout the page or draw an image that fits the poem.