Answer Poem

large question marks and dominos over a board with math

Choose a “why” question you heard someone say recently (little children are great for this - why is the wind so strong?) or google “list of why questions” and select an interesting “why” question. Free write answers to the question for 5-10 minutes, making sure to time yourself. Write as many answers to the question as you can generate. Write whatever comes to mind, regardless of how off-topic and random it seems. These random answers usually produce the best metaphorical lines. This free writing activity will generate the basis of a list poem. You’re now on your way to expand on your answers and insert poetic devices or turn the answers into devices such as personification, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, etc. You can also apply this activity to “when”, “where”, “what”, “who”, and “how” questions.

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