What is Black Out Poetry?
Black out poetry is an artistic process of creating art from existing texts. Through careful selection and arrangement of words, writers and poets can convey a profound and thought-provoking message to their audience. The practice of black out poetry dates back centuries when artists would take existing literary works and cut the words and phrases from the letters, rearranging them in a manner of their own design. This type of art has grown in popularity in recent years due to its appeal to modern and educated audiences.
The idea behind black out poetry is to use a text as a canvas, to create a unique piece of art. Writers choose words and phrases that they think are the most important and meaningful, then erase the words they deem unnecessary in order to create a form of poetry.
This creative practice is tremendously popular in classrooms and other educational institutions due to its ability to teach students a variety of topics in a fun and engaging way. It has been used to help students explore literature in a creative and thought-provoking manner, and to impart a deeper understanding of the texts they read. It has also been used as a way for students to express their own thoughts and feelings about various texts.
Many professional writers, poets, and educators advocate for black out poetry as an effective way to encourage students to think more deeply about the written word. Dr. Carlos Parra, professor of Spanish language and literature at the University of San Diego, sees black out poetry as a powerful tool for engaging students in close reading and critical analysis: “Black out poetry can help students cultivate a nuanced and detailed approach to the texts they read. It invites the reader to select the words that jump out at them the most, and to think more deeply about the meaning behind those words.”
When creating black out poetry, it is important to remember that the result is not a traditional poem in the sense of structure and rhyme. Rather, it is an art form where writers can express themselves and connect to their readers in a unique way. Writers can choose to omit words to create a sense of ambiguity, or add words to convey powerful messages. It is a style of writing that is truly based on the individual preference of the writer.
Another popular use of black out poetry is to use a blank page of a book or a photograph as the canvas for the artwork. This type of artwork allows the writer to explore their creativity and come up with a new arrangement of words that match the feel and atmosphere of the background.
Types of Black Out Poetry
There are two main types of black out poetry: traditional and progressive. Traditional black out poetry begins with writing a text and then erasing some words to form a poem. Progressive black out poetry on the other hand begins with erasing some words from a text and then writing around the resulting blank space.
Traditional black out poetry encourages a slower, more methodical form of writing. The artist must continually assess a sentence and consider what words should be removed in order to create a meaningful poem. This type of poetry often needs more time and attention as it is difficult to capture the right feel and atmosphere.
Progressive black out poetry is more spontaneous and creative, as the writer can quickly decide what words should go and what words should stay. The key to progressive black out poetry is to have an open mind and to be adventurous, choosing words that are meaningful but unexpected.
No matter which type of black out poetry an artist chooses, it is important for them to remember that black out poetry is about conveying a message or emotion. Even if some words or phrases are removed, the artist should always strive to maintain a clear and understandable storyline.
Benefits of Black Out Poetry
Black out poetry can provide a wealth of benefits to its practitioners. Writing in this form requires a keen eye for detail and encourages an innovative approach to words and language. As writing progresses, artists discover the power of individual words, and may even reach a state of creative flow. This form of art also encourages divergent thinking, meaning that the more options and ideas are explored, the more creative the resulting artwork becomes.
Black out poetry can be a form of self-expression and can be used as a powerful and effective way to communicate our thoughts and feelings. It can also help us to see the bigger picture of our lives and the world around us. By playing with words, novel meanings and connections can be drawn, allowing us to explore new frames of thought and feeling.
Furthermore, due to its unique nature, black out poetry can be highly attractive to readers and can draw attention more effectively than traditional forms of writing and art. When executed expertly, black out poetry can reach its target audience with ease, while also having a powerful and lasting effect.
Where to Find Sources of Text
When it comes to practicing black out poetry, a writer needs a good source of text. The most obvious source is, of course, books. By selecting a page of a book, more diverse words and phrases can be used, and readers of the poem can connect with the overall theme of the novel. Groups of words can also be taken from online articles or news stories for a modern, edgy look.
Another source of inspiration for black out poets is photographs or pictures. By taking words from the image and rearranging them, a piece of art can be created that speaks directly to the atmosphere of the photo. These types of poems can be highly efficient for evoking emotion and creating a lasting impression.
How to Get Started
Creating initial artwork from existing texts may seem daunting at first. However, one of the best ways to get started is by selecting a text that you are familiar with or that particularly interests you. Once you have selected a text, slowly read it, observing the words and phrases that stand out the most to you. After that, you can start to remove those words and create a poem around them.
Another great way to practice is to read some existing pieces of black out poetry. This can help to get the creative juices flowing, and inspire a spark of creativity. Reading works by famous artists can teach styles and techniques that can be used to create something unique and meaningful.
Examples of Amazing Black Out Poetry
The art of black out poetry is truly mesmerizing and can be incredibly inspiring. Examples of incredible black out poetry can be found all over the internet, with artists showcasing their work for the world to see. Notable works include those of Jaffrey Huang and Jan Spivey Gilchrist, who are both highly acclaimed black out poets.
Both Huang and Gilchrist use black out poetry as a vehicle for social commentary, voicing for the marginalised and ignored in society. Huang’s artwork focuses on raising awareness of racism and inequality, while Gilchrist explores the beauty of African American culture and stories.
Huang and Gilchrist are just two of the many inspiring black out poets making waves across the net. With the help of numerous platforms that showcase their work, they continue to help their readers interpret and engage with the written word in a creative and meaningful manner.
Different Ways to Present Black Out Poetry
Black out poetry is an incredibly flexible art form, and there are many different ways to present it. For instance, modern technology now allows black out poets to create animated videos about their work, bringing the pieces to life like never before. Videos can be easily shared across the internet, allowing artists to reach a much wider audience.
Books are also an effective way to showcase black out poetry. A variety of outlets can be used to self-publish the artwork, making it available for readers to enjoy for years to come. These books can serve as a point of reference for budding artists, inspiring their own creativity and helping them to appreciate the beauty of black out poetry.
Social media can also be used to great effect when it comes to presenting black out poetry. Instagram, Twitter and other popular platforms allow artists to share their work with a variety of people, giving them the opportunity to get feedback and constructive criticism. This way, budding black out poets can improve their skills and become the artists they have always wanted to be.
Conclusion
Black out poetry is an incredibly powerful form of art. It can be used to express thoughts and feelings in a creative and meaningful manner, while also providing an enjoyable lesson in close reading and critical analysis. Through careful selection of words and phrases, writers can evoke emotion from their readers, allowing them to connect to their poetry in ways that are both personal and spiritual.
