How to Write a Cut-Up Poem

Use those old newspapers to create new poetry.

William Burroughs credits painter and writer Brion Gysin with originating the cut-up method of poetry writing in 1959. Similar to fragment and found poems, the cut-up poem takes imagination and stretches it to the limit.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper, magazine, book or journal
• Paper and pencil
• Scissors
• Tape

1. Choose a newspaper, magazine, several favorite poems or your own journal. This exercise works best if you mix and match several of the items.

2. Stack two to four pages of the items from together.

3. Cut the stack into four equal parts.

4. Cut each of the parts into another four parts.

5. Spread the pieces of paper on the table and randomly move them around, making two rows of paper.

6. Tape the pieces of paper together.

7. Write out each line of your new poetry creation.

Tips & Warnings

• Add words to make the poem flow nicely.

• Delete words to change the meaning of your poem.

• Try to aim for a tone, an emotional feeling.

References

• UbuWeb: The Cut-Up Method of Brion Gysin