Concrete Poetry

How to Write a Concrete Poem

with the help of Paul B. Janeczko

DEFINITIONS OF CONCRETE (N)

• hard construction material: a mixture of cement, sand, aggregate, and water in specific proportions that hardens to a strong stony consistency over varying lengths of

time • mass of coalesced particles: a mass formed when particles

coalesce

• solid and real: able to be seen or touched because it exists in reality, not just as an idea

Chapter III: A Caucus Race and a Long Tale

• The purpose of language is to convey meaning, which requires words to have fixed definitions in order to consistently convey meaning. In Wonderland, language, as well as characters, events, and terrains, change meaning and significance from moment to moment.

~ Spark Notes

Alice mistakes the Mouse’s “tale” for its “tail,” She visualizes his story in the shape of his tail.

Confusion about words and their meaningsWonderland distorts language.

It becomes very clear that language is very

unclear at this point in the story.

“Fury said to a mouse, That he met in the

house, “Let us both go to law: I will prosecute you. – Come, I’ll take no denial; We must have a trial: For really this morning I’ve nothing to do,” Said the mouse to the cur, “Such a trial, dear Sir, With no jury or judge, would be wasting our breath.” I’ll be judge, I’ll be jury” Said cunning old Fury;” “ I’ll try the whole cause and condemn you to death.”

What is a concrete poem

In a concrete poem, the arrangement of the letters and words on the page adds meaning to the poem.

How does the arrangement of the letters and words on the page add meaning to this poem?

Concrete poems can be short and sweet. Although

this poem is short, it make a clever

statement.

“You can’t read them the same way you read a “regular” poem. Sometimes they can’t be read at all!”

~ Paul B. Janeczko

Figurative language is

still an important element of concrete

poetry. The art of this

type of communica

tion is in the image and in the

words.

Name some examples of

figurative language that you

see here.

By: J. Patrick Lewis

What is the effect of the repetition in this poem?

Concrete poems can be

long and visually

complex.

You can add

graphics to

enhance the

meaning of your

concrete poem.

What happens when you

eat a popsicle

in the hot, hot sun?

Now you try!

1. On your TRiCKS OF THE TRADE hand out, by Paul B. Janeczko, you will read the advice given on the topic of writing

concrete poetry. 2. BRAiNSTORM in the appropriate space

on the back of your paper. 3. Use the white sheet of paper to create

a well polished DRAFt as you continue to listen to Alice in Wonderland.

RUBRIC 50 points Brainstorming sheet must completed.

50 points The arrangement of words, spaces, and letters work to catch your reader’s eye.

Extra Credit: If you choose to type your poem, or type the words and arrange them on another sheet of paper, you will receive a 100 for a class work grade.

ALL POEMS WILL BE TURNED IN TOMORROW to your teacher.

“One of the great things about poetry is that you can write whatever you like. You can also change it as many times as you want. Keep that in mind as you write you poems. Work and play with the words until you get them just right. A poem is finished when you are satisfied with it.”

~ Paul B. Janeczko

All of the images in this PowerPoint were taken from A POKE IN THE I , a

book of concrete poetry that was compiled and edited by Paul B.

Janeckzo.