Black Out Poetry
Try this poetry lesson I’ve developed with the input of other colleagues and inspired by artist/writer Austin Kleon.
This activity is inspired by censoring or redacting texts to make beautiful works of art that unearth new meanings and understanding.This is a strategy to discover new ideas within an existing text by choosing specific words and isolating them, while masking others.
The story or text’s original meaning can change entirely, and new meaning and understandings are unearthed.Think of the source text like a block of marble, and you’re the sculptor. You’ll chip away, your black marker as a chisel, at the words to reveal a beautiful poem inside!The remaining words create a final, poetic work of art that is unique.
What is your experience with Black Out Poetry? If you’re a teacher, how have you modified this activity and what recommendations do you have? If you’re a student, comment on your experience of writing; what helps you? What advice do you have for other students? Most importantly: is this poetry?
Check out my student work using Notability.