FoundPoemInstructions
1. Carefully re-read theprose textyou have chosen, and look for 50–100 wordsthatstand outin the prose passage.Make notes of details,words andphrases that youfind particularlypowerful, moving, or interesting.Note especially examples that reflect the theme, or clues that describe the author or speaker.
2. On a separate sheet of paper, make alist of the details, words andphrases you underlined, keeping them intheorder that you found them. Double space between lines so that the lines are easy towork with. Feel free to add others that you notice as you go throughtheprose piece again.
3. Look back over your list andcut out everythingthat is dull, or unnecessary, or thatjust doesn’t seem rightfora poem. Try to cut your originallistinhalf.
4. As you look over theshortened list, think about thetonethat the details anddiction convey. The wordsshould all relate to Poe or the story. Make sure thatyou have words that communicate your emotions or those ofthe person in the prose text.
5. Make any minor changes necessary to create your poem.You can change punctuation and make little changesto thewords to makethem fit together (suchas change the tenses,possessives, plurals, and capitalizations).
6. Whenyou’re close to an edited down version,ifyou absolutely need to add aword or twoto make the poemflow more smoothly, tomake sense, to makea point,you may add uptotwo words of yourown. That’s two (2) and onlytwo!
7. Read backover your edited draftone more time and make any deletions or minor changes.
8. Check thewords and choose a title—is there a better title than “FoundPoem”? YES, there
is.
9. Copythewords andphrases into your journalor type them ina wordprocessor.Space or arrange the words sothat they’re poem-like.Pay attentionto line breaks,layout, and other elementsthat will emphasize importantwords or significantideas inthe poem.
•Read aloud as you arrange the words! Testthepossible linebreaks by pausing slightly.Ifitsounds good,it’s probably right.
•Arrange thewordsso thatthey make a rhythm you like.You can spacewordsout so that they are all alone orallruntogether.
•You can also put key
words
on lines bythemselves.
•You can shape the entire poem so that it’s wide or tall or shaped like an object
(say acat or a house?).
•Emphasizewords by playing withboldface and italics,different sizesof letters, and soforth.
10.At the bottom of the poem, cite where the words came from – cite the story and the book you found it in or the online site.
Instructionsadaptedfrom“FoundandHeadlinePoems”fromGettingtheKnack:20PoetryWritingExercisesby
StephenDunningandWilliamStafford.