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How to Write a Cut-Up Poem

William Burroughs credits painter and writer Brion Gysin with originating the cut-up method of poetry writing in 1959. Similar to fragment and found poems, the cut-up poem takes imagination and stretches it to the limit.

Things You'll Need

  • Newspaper, magazine, book or journal
  • Paper and pencil
  • Scissors
  • Tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a newspaper, magazine, several favorite poems or your own journal. This exercise works best if you mix and match several of the items.

    • 2

      Stack two to four pages of the items from together.

    • 3

      Cut the stack into four equal parts.

    • 4

      Cut each of the parts into another four parts.

    • 5

      Spread the pieces of paper on the table and randomly move them around, making two rows of paper.

    • 6

      Tape the pieces of paper together.

    • 7

      Write out each line of your new poetry creation.

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Poetry

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