Blackout Poetry

What is a blackout poem?

A blackout poem is when a poet takes a marker (usually black marker) to already established text--like a newspaper, or an old book--and starts redacting (blacking out) words until a poem is formed. The key thing with a blackout poem is that the text AND redacted text form a sort of visual poem. 

Who Started Blackout Poetry?

Author Austin Kleon was having a bad case of writer’s block when, by accident, he cured his writer's block AND created a whole new type of poetry. He decided to blackout words in a newspaper and wrote the first form of blackout poetry.

How do I Create a Blackout Poem?

Step 1: The first step of this exercise is grueling for book lovers: Find a book you are willing to destroy. Blackout poetry works better if you can find an old book full of beautiful words and phrases, making your destructive act especially painful. But from this crucible of literary sacrifice, you will witness the birth of a phoenix rising from the ashes. (Or at least an interesting crow or two.)

Step 2: Scan the page first before reading it completely. Keep an eye out for an anchor word as you scan. An anchor word is one word on the page that stands out to you because it is packed and loaded with meaning and significance.  Starting with an anchor word is important because it helps you to imagine possible themes and topics for your poem. 

Step 3: Now read the page of text in its entirety. Use a pencil to lightly circle any words that connect to the anchor word and resonate with you. Resonant words might be expressive or evocative, but for whatever reason, these are the words on the page that stick with you. Avoid circling more than three words in a row.

Step 4: List all of the circled words on a separate piece of paper in the order that they appear on the page. Without changing the order of the words, piece them together to form your poem. You can eliminate parts of words, especially any endings, if it helps to keep the meaning of the poem clear.

Step 5: Return to the page of text and circle only the words you selected for the final poem.  Erase the circles around any words you will not be using.

Step 6: Add an illustration or design to the page of text that connects to your poem. Be very careful not to draw over the circled words you selected for your final poem!

Step 7: Take your black marker and use rectangles to circle the works in your poem. Then, blackout everything around your words and design.

Some Examples by Austin Kloen: 

“Overheard on the Titanic”:                                    “What Is Marriage?”: