Friday, November 21 - Ekphrasis

In ancient Greece, the term ekphrasis (ek-fra-seas) referred to a work of art in one medium that was produced as a reaction to a piece of art created in another medium.  

Have you ever heard the expression A picture's worth a thousand words? Well, sometimes poets think that a picture, or a sculpture, or a piece of pottery is worth just that, and maybe more. 

When poets find a piece of visual artwork that truly captures their imagination, they often engage in a literary practice known as ekphrastic poetry, which is poetry that verbally describes a visual work of art.  For example; a song might be based on a famous piece of literature, a short story might include great detail (especially of evoked emotions) of the Mona Lisa, or a poem may describe a well-known artistic movement.  

Modern scholars have simplified the definition and say ekphrasis is "the verbal representation of a visual representation" (Nordquist). At it's core ekphrasis makes explicit connections between art, storytelling, and life.  

Examples of Ekphrasis (art to poetry)

Homer's ekphrastic nod to Achilles' great shield

William Carlos Williams and Charles Sheeler

So let's practice together.  Look at the image below.  Really study it and all its minute details.

Let's brainstorm some answers to the questions below.  
• List the first words that come to mind when you look at this artwork. 
• What is happening in this artwork? What story is being told? 
• Who or what is the subject of the painting? How would you describe them?
• What is the mood of the artwork? What sounds, smells, feelings, tastes could 
you associate with it?
• Now that you have closely observed the artwork, how would you summarize its main idea? 

To Read More about Edvard Munch

TASK:  Now, your job is to choose a famous piece of artwork and write a poem or song based on your reaction to this piece.  Answer the questions above and practice what we modeled in class to help you get started.  

Some places to look for famous artwork:

100 Greatest Paintings of All Time

Famous Paintings

Top 100 Masterpieces

Thursday, November 20 - Emotions

Have you ever wondered about those voices in your head?  I sure have; in fact, I've had many a conversation with the various voices.  Sometimes all is going well and the voices are agreeable and pleasant.  Sometimes it's as if the voices are being painfully tortured; thus, they feel the only thing to do is to torment me as well.  Joy causes my heart to swell, sometimes tears to form, but always a smile to cross my lips.  Anger makes me do things I don't want to and say things I don't mean.  Anger usually leads to Sadness; at least it does for me.  There are a plethora of emotions, but Sadness might be the worst.  Sometimes Sadness visits after Fear has been sojourning in the open ranges of my mind.  Fear leaves me panicked.  It strips me of my sense of control.  It robs me of my sanity.  It causes me to doubt myself and who I am. It's awful! Unfortunately, Disgust reels her ugly head all too often.  I'm disgusted by the slowness of the cashier, the incessant crying of a newborn in church, the children that pick their nose and eat their boogers, the people who come out of the bathroom without washing their hands. Ahhh, but such is life as a human being, full of EMOTIONS.


Today, I want you to think about those voices in your head.  Think about they things they make you feel, the things they make you say.  These voices have inspired Disney/Pixar's newest animated film, Inside Out.  

After reading the film summary, which is very brief, and watching the short preview, craft a story involving all of Riley's emotions.  Describe a battle in her mind between her emotions.  

Tuesday, November 18 - Treason & Historical Fiction

Some other foiled plots to consider:

The First American Traitor - Benedict Arnold

Operation Valkyrie - Hitler

A Shot to the Chest - Teddy Roosevelt

A Rebellion to Remember - Nat Turner

This Far by Faith - Denmark Vesey

The Indian Revolt of 1857

Monday, November 17 - Found Poem

Most writers find it difficult to work with strict parameters; however, this is exactly what most writers are asked to do on a regular basis.  A client wants this; a newspaper only needs that; a magazine is looking for....

So with this in mind, I want you to work within strict parameters to create a found poem.  Use the page (excerpt from a novel) that you have been given.  You may not use anything else.  You can only insert articles - a, an, the.  All other words MUST come from the excerpt.  You may, however, repeat words.

Use the following link for some extra help:

Interactive Found Poem Practice

Friday, November 14 - The Berlin Wall

Do some research so that you can write a piece of historical fiction.  This means you will write a story based on the historical past.  You can include real historical figures or you can simply leave your setting as the historical basis for your story.  Here are a few helpful links:

Information on Historical Fiction

The History Channel's Guide to The Berlin Wall

Remembering the Berlin Wall

BBC Informational on The Berlin Wall

Thursday, November 13 - The Macabre Arts

Wednesday, November 12 - The Haunted House

Use your imagination and knowledge of the macabre to write a short story, song, or poem inspired by the image below.  

Friday, November 7 - Ewww....that's creepy!

Now that you have briefly been exposed to the macabre genre, I want you to craft a poem which is reflective of the characteristics of this particular style.  Dance with Death, foxtrot with the frightening, tango with the terrifying, and disco with the dastardly (Chapman).  Have fun with it!