To introduce learners to Blackout Poetry, I begin this class with the history of this "found" form of poetry, dating back to the 18th Century and a neighbor of Benjamin Franklin's!

During this historical overview, I encourage learners to respond to the story of the creation of Blackout Poetry and to share their impressions with the group. After presenting the history of Blackout Poetry, I demonstrate how it is constructed from existing texts. As a group, we analyze the pieces together to identify their imagery and themes. Learners are invited to participate in the analysis of the Blackout Poetry and to ask questions about their features. Once we've studied the history of Blackout Poetry and reviewed examples of this poetic form, we'll get our creative juices flowing by creating Blackout poems of our own. Our writing time will be in the form of a workshop with learners working both independently and in collaboration with fellow learners and me as needed. To close the class those learners who would like to are invited to share their creations with the group. 

I look forward to exploring this found form of poetry with you! 

*Please feel free to contact me if the cost of this class (or any of my classes) is a prohibitive factor to enrolling.