Background Information
Blackout Poetry is a form of writing art that has become increasingly popular among writers. It involves re-purposing existing text into a piece of art. The purpose is to re-interpret the existing text in new and unique ways. The poet begins with a piece of text, such as a newspaper or magazine article, or something else that has been previously published. The poet then “blacks out” parts of the text, leaving only the words they feel are necessary to re-interpret the text in new and unique ways. The poet then arranges the words into a poem or piece of art.
Steps
1. Choose the text.Select a piece of text that resonates with you and your creative vision. This can be anything from a book, newspaper article, magazine, or any other source. The goal is to find a piece of text that speaks to you.
2. Mark the text.Utilizing a marker, highlight or underline words, sentences, and phrases that you find interesting. Pay attention to not just the words but also the spacing between them. Leave enough unmarked space between words so that your poem has room to breathe.
3. Cut the text.Using a pair of scissors, cut out the sections of text that you have chosen to include in your poem. You can also cut out the spaces or the border around the words to create an interesting shape.
4. Arrange the text.Place the cutout text on a flat surface and experiment with its positioning. Think of the canvas as a blank slate and the possibilities it offers. It is a great opportunity to create a visual masterpiece.
5. Take a Step Back.Once you have the text arranged in a way that feels right, take a step back and look at it from afar. This is when you begin to really form its look and feel, finding the right balance between text and imagery.
6. Refine the Text.Once you have the design of your poem in place, refine the text and visuals. Make sure everything looks nice and neat, and make any adjustments you think are necessary.
7. Final Touches.When you are satisfied with the look and feel of the poem, add any final touches to make it look even better. This could include framing the words or adding coloring or other designs.
Precautions
When working on a blackout poetry, writers should always be mindful of copyright issues. It is important to be familiar with copyright laws before using any source for a blackout poem. The laws are different for different countries, so it is important to understand the rules and regulations in the country you are writing from. Care should also be taken to ensure that the creator of the source material is appropriately credited.
Ways to Enhance the Poem
Once a blackout poem has been created, writers can further enhance it in a number of ways. Adding a visual element, such as artwork or photography, to the poem can add another layer of creativity and emotion. Playing with the font and size of the words can also add to the impact of the poem. Adding a soundtrack or voiceover can help bring the words of the poem to life and create a truly unique experience.
Analyzing the Poem
After creating a blackout poem, it is important to analyze it in order to gauge its impact and effectiveness. Analyzing a poem allows the writer to evaluate their work and whether or not it successfully conveys their intended message. It is helpful to ask questions like “What is the poem trying to say?” and “How do the words and images evoke emotion?” Answering these questions can help shape the poem and make it even more powerful.
Putting it into Action
Creating a blackout poem is a great way for writers to explore their creativity and explore the possibilities of language and text. Writers can enhance the poem in a variety of ways and by analyzing it, can ensure that their poem conveys their message effectively. Blackout poetry is an excellent form of expression that can be used to explore a variety of topics in ways that may not have been possible before.
Inspiration
When creating a blackout poem, writers should be sure to draw inspiration from around them. Writers can look to the world around them, their own lives and experiences, or even another writer’s work to help craft unique and inspiring poems. It helps to have a rough idea of the theme or message of the poem before beginning to create it, as this will help to guide the process.
Evaluating the Poem
Once the blackout poem is complete, it is important to evaluate it. Evaluating the poem objectively allows the writer to identify any potential weaknesses or flaws and to make adjustments accordingly. The evaluate should focus on how successfully the poet was able to condense the source material into a cohesive and meaningful poem.
Sharing the Poem
Once the poem is evaluated and finalized, the next step is to share it with the world. Writers can share their poem on various social media platforms or submit it to literary magazines and journals. Doing so will ensure that their work can be seen and appreciated by a wider audience.
