How to Write Ekphrastic Poetry (Entry 4b)



How to Write Ekphrastic Poetry (Entry 4b)

Brainstorming/Prewriting

( Jot answers to these questions to get your thoughts flowing:

1. Find a work of art (painting, sculpture, professional photograph, etc.) that inspires you. Make note of the title of the piece of art and the artist’s name. Include that information with the title of your poem.

2. Get out pencil and paper. Jot down the first five or six words that come to mind when you first see the art. Don’t think about it, just do it.

3. Using all your senses, describe the setting or scene in the painting or photograph or the subject, shape, or texture of the sculpture. Work to include some metaphors and similes in your description.

4. Describe in detail the subject of the work of art (who or what is the focus of the art?).

5. Examine how the artist uses color, lines, balance, movement, rhythm, forms, texture, space, value, emphasis, proportion, etc. Make some comments about this.

6. How does the work make you feel? What is it about the piece of art that is contributing to that feeling?

7. What ideas or feelings do you think the artist is trying to express?

8. What question(s) would you pose to the artist?

9. What does the work mean to you?

Now Write an Ekphrastic Poem

10. Go through the words, phrases, and descriptions in your notes from above. Circle the best ones

from each step. The best words will be the ones that…

> use the most interesting and original language

> give the most important and accurate information

> create the most vivid pictures in the reader’s mind

> “sound” the best

11. Look at the words you circled. Begin writing your first draft using these words.

12. Play with the lines until the poem reads smoothly and makes sense. Ask yourself:

> Does your poem contain vivid imagery?

> Are there parts of the poem that need to be expanded with more detail?

> Does your poem have strong opening and closing lines?

> Does your poem clearly say what you want it to say? Does it match the feelings you have

when you see the art?

13. Work in your poetic techniques—How can you use sound creatively? How can you use language creatively? REMEMBER: You must include, label, and explain at least 3 poetic techniques.

14. Other ideas that may help you write an ekphrastic poem…

> Write a poem in the voice of the person or object shown in the work of art

> Relate the work of art to something else of which it reminds you

> Speak directly to the artist or subject of the piece

> Write about your experience of looking at the art

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