TO WEAVE OR NOT TO
WEAVE?
THAT IS THE POETRY
QUESTION
By M’Liss S. Hindman
What is Weaving?
and
How Does One Do It
Effectively?
Purpose of Weaving



Not to create a new poem – not blending
poetry
It is a technique for program or thematic
development
Done well…it highlights each individual
poem
Requirements for Weaving

Not all poetry can or should be woven
Purpose of Weaving


Not all poetry can or should be woven
If woven, each poem must retain its
own individual ‘voice’
Requirements for Weaving



Not all poetry can or should be woven
If woven, each poem must retain it’s own
individual ‘voice’
Each poem must be performed in a
manner that makes it distinct from
the others
Requirements for Weaving



If woven, each poem must retain its own
individual ‘voice’
Each poem must be performed in a
manner that makes it distinct
Weaving requires more work by the
performer not only in programming,
but in internalization & development
of characters
HOW DO YOU PUT A
WOVEN PROGRAM TOGETHER?
HOW DO YOU PUT A
WOVEN PROGRAM TOGETHER?

Thematic Idea:
Find a poem you like with a theme
OR
Think of theme first – then find poems
HOW DO YOU PUT A
WOVEN PROGRAM TOGETHER?
Make the THEME Specific
HOW DO YOU PUT A
WOVEN PROGRAM TOGETHER?



Select your poems
No hard and fast rules
Almost an instinctive process
HOW TO PUT A
WOVEN PROGRAM TOGETHER?




Select your poems
No hard and fast rules
Almost an instinctive process
Program should have a beginning, a
middle, and an end
HOW TO PUT A
WOVEN PROGRAM TOGETHER?





Select your poems
No hard and fast rules
Almost an instinctive process
Program should have a beginning, a
middle, and an end
Keep thematic development clearly in
mind – how are the poems furthering
the arguments of your program?
ACTUAL WEAVING PROCESS


Gather selected poems, pencil and
paper
Read and re-read poems
ACTUAL WEAVING PROCESS




Gather selected poems, pencil and paper
Read and re-read poems
Mark possible places for splices
Choose an anchor or central poem
ACTUAL WEAVING PROCESS





Gather selected poems, pencil and paper
Read and re-read poems
Mark possible places for splices
Choose an anchor or central poem
Decide if you are alternating poems
in a sequence OR if you are doing a
more random weave due to theme
development
See the new UIL
Prose/Poetry Handbook
Sample of How to
Divide
A Poem
QUESTIONS?
Contact UIL Speech Consultant
M’Liss S. Hindman
Contact Information
M’Liss S. Hindman
Tyler Junior College
mhin@tjc.edu
903.510.2206