Day 2: Name Collaborations, Protest Poems, What Makes A Good Story?

1) NAME COLLABORATIONS

So in class we read name poems and then in groups of 3 -4 we combined these poems in a cut-up method and with repetition.

This exercise reinforced the following: 1) IMAGERY and 2) KEEP IT SIMPLE

It also taught the use of repetition as a refrain, revision as play and gave students practice in a group performance. The videos of these pieces will be put up on the website soon.

NAME COLLABORATION EXERCISE
Break students into groups of three. In these groups students will rearrange and combine their poems. So – the three poems will become 1 poem. Note while rearranging no student should have more then three lines from their own poem in a row. I want you to cut the poems and put them back together (note: this is a form idea of William S. Burroughs). Also, I want you the think about lines (at least three) that you can repeat during the poem. This will act as a refrain.
Students will then present poems to class – each student reading it.

2) What Makes A Good Story?

a) CONFLICT
b) HOOK
c) INTERESTING CHARACTERS (characters who are human)
d) What makes a good story are those things that most people do not want to talk about (F. Scott Fitzgerald). Choose to explore deeper/darker themes. Not everyday life.
e) THEMES (not morales or lessons) - Allow the listener to live the piece. Don't hit them over the head with some moral statement.
f) Begin and End at the Same Place

3) PROTEST POEMS (I'll try and post the poems students picked out soon).

For more on protest poetry please check out the following slide shows by Martha LaBere:

Introduction to Protest Poetry

Protest Poems Selected Examples

Protest lyrics and songs

Diana di Prima



4) How to Write A Protest Poem (from Taylor Mali's piece of the same name)

Strategies for effective performance poems:
1. Have a hook
2. Use a song (and stop in the middle)
3. Say the unexpected
4. Contrast and juxapose images that are new or exciting
5. Make fun of politicians
6. Use repetition
7. Say the ending three times for effect
8. Add an extra poet for effect
9. Use Irony