1. Writing to Confront Art
“A picture is worth a thousand words” Art is like poetry because both are mediums of communication. Both rely on specifics: color, symbols, diction, shape, etc. to create meaning.

2. What is Ekphratic Poetry?
Defined as poetry that is inspired by a work of art.

3. WRITING EKPHRATIC POETRY
REACTION
PERSPECTIVE
What is your initial reaction to the art?
MOOD
What possible viewpoints can the artwork inspire?
POSSIBLE POETIC DEVICES
DETAILS
rhyme, alliteration, assonance, structure (sonnet, free verse, couplets, etc.), rhythm, personification, imagery, simile, metaphor, speaker
Colors, allusions, size, objects, shapes, etc.

4. “Vincent” Follow along with the lyrics Think about the word’s meanings
By Don McLean
Follow along with the lyrics
Think about the word’s meanings
Figurative Language?
Listen closely
“Who is Vincent?”

5. Discuss Who do you think Vincent was?
What do we learn about Vincent from the song?
Re-read the lyrics and annotate
What poetic devices did you find?

6. Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh
How does this work of art relate to the song?

7. Ekphrasis
Ekphrasis is a literary description of or commentary on a visual work of art
Literature written about artwork
Perspective is important

9. Before you begin…Brainstorm!
20-30 min
Perspectives in Writing Ekphrastic Poetry
• Write about the scene or subject being depicted in the artwork.
• Write in the voice of a person or object shown in the work of art.
• Write about your experience of looking at the art.
• Relate the work of art to something else it reminds you of.
• Imagine what was happening while the artist was creating the piece.
• Write in the voice of the artist.
• Write a dialogue among characters in a work of art.
• Speak directly to the artist or the subject(s) of the piece.
• Write in the voice of an object or person portrayed in the artwork.
• Imagine a story behind what you see depicted in the piece.
• Speculate about why the artist created this work.

10. Sources
n1093/PoetryBookchecklist.pdf
n1093/PerspectivesinWritingEkphrastic.pdf
plans/ekphrasis-using-inspire-poetry-1093.html
vincent-van-gogh/