April is National Poetry Month and this year to celebrate we will be holding a BLACKOUT POETRY COMPETITION for all children and young people aged 16 and under. 

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Blackout Poetry is a form of 'found poetry' where you select words that catch your interest from a newspaper, book, or other printed text – along with a few additional words to make it flow. Then you redact all the words you don’t want. This is often (but not always) done with a black marker, hence the name 'blackout poetry'. Your chosen words will form a new message, giving the text a whole new meaning.

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You might have an idea of the direction you’d like to go with your poem, but with such a limited choice of words, it helps to be open-minded about the outcome! You can start by circling words you like in pencil or by placing a piece of tracing paper on top to help with word selection while you get the hang of it.

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Take your Blackout Poetry a step further by adding patterns, designs, or a drawing to the areas you’re 'redacting'. For example, instead of just filling in around your chosen words with solid black, you could create a drawing or design that relates to your poem. Just as with any illustration, your art should support the remaining text and add to its meaning.

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If you’re on Instagram, check out the hashtag #blackoutpoetry or you can google 'blackout poetry images' for more creative inspiration!

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The winner of the competition will receive a £50 Amazon Voucher.

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Please post your completed BLACKOUT POEM to:

Swindon Tuition Centre

138 Victoria Rd, 

Old Town

Swindon, 

SN1 3BU

 

Don't forget to include your full name, age and school. 

COMPETITION DEADLINE: 22nd April 2021

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The judging panel will be Rhian our Office Administrator and Tom our Curriculum Manager. They will be basing their judgements on; creativity; use of language and uniqueness.