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How Do I Write a Picture-Headline Poem?

A Picture-Headline poem is a style of poetry that uses words clipped from newspaper and magazine headlines to create a poem. This type of poetry is a departure from traditional poetry, which normally is typed or written. Words and images clipped from magazines and newspapers will be used to convey the meaning of the poem. Picture-headline poems are used to encourage spontaneity and inspire natural effortless creativity. This type of poetry can use random words in a stream of consciousness style or a central theme may be used. Teachers may use this style of poetry to help their students learn how to use words in a more artistic way. They will discover how art or poetry can be created from words or images they see every day.

Things You'll Need

  • Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Large sheet of paper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide whether you're going to use a central theme for your poem or if you will be creating a stream of consciousness style poem by choosing random words and images.

    • 2

      Gather various newspapers and magazines together. You may want to choose different types of magazines, such as travel, business, gardening, health, fashion etc. This will give you a larger variety of images and words to choose from.

    • 3

      Look through the magazines and newspapers for images and words that will support the theme of your poem. If you're creating a stream of consciousness style poem, then choose random words and images that personally appeal to you. Cut out images and words you will be using for your poem.

    • 4

      Arrange newspaper and magazine clippings on a large sheet of paper to see how your poem will look. You may want to rearrange clippings in various ways before finalizing by gluing.

    • 5

      Glue the clippings on the paper.

Poetry

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