Creative Writing in Other Languages Workshop 4 Some Oulipo ideas

We are beginning to get into something a little like what the Oulipo poets did.

Adding a word

You start off with a simple sentence and add something else simple. This can come from the students' normal repertoire or you may allow them to use a dictionary.  The example below is in French.

 

Un mot en plus  

Voici mon chien.

Voici mon grand chien.

Voici mon grand chien noir.

Voici mon grand chien noir et mignon.

Voici mon chien qui dort.

Mon chien, que j’adore 

 

Altering words

You change one word for each new line. Students practise both vocabulary and grammar. Again, they can use their own repertoire or find new vocabulary from the dictionary. This example is in German.   

Veränderungen

Der Mann schläft im Garten.

Mein Mann schläft im Garten.

Mein Sohn schläft im Garten.

Mein Sohn arbeitet im Garten.

Mein Sohn arbeitet in einem Garten.

Mein Sohn arbeitet in einem Krieg.

Have a good look at the Oulipo ideas.  You might think of how to use the n + 7 method or the metro poems.