diverge · Ideation, Team Building, Reflection · 65–105 min · 2-25 people · low energy

Poetic Motivations

Poetic Motivations helps participants explore their intrinsic motivations for change through creative writing and sharing. By crafting 'I poems,' individuals connect with their values and articulate their passions, fostering both personal reflection and collective understanding.

When to use Poetic Motivations

Use this method when you want to encourage self-reflection, build empathy within a group, and uncover shared values related to a specific change initiative or theme.

What it solves

Difficulty articulating personal values and motivations; lack of connection and shared purpose within a group.

How to run Poetic Motivations, step by step

  1. Introduce the 'I Poem' concept and learning objectives. Explain the goal of expressing identity, values, feelings, and motivations for change through poetry. (5 mins)
  2. Provide the 'I Poem' template and instruct participants to silently draft their poems, encouraging free-flowing thoughts and ideas. (20 mins)
  3. Guide participants to refine their poems, focusing on clarity, flow, and personal meaning. Encourage them to revise, reorder, or remove sentences as needed. (10 mins)
  4. Facilitate a sharing circle where participants read their poems aloud. Create a supportive atmosphere with applause after each poem. Offer alternative sharing options for those who feel uncomfortable. (20 mins)
  5. Lead a reflective discussion, starting with plenary reflections on the writing and sharing experience. Then, have participants reflect in pairs on their learning and how the activity contributed to identifying their intrinsic motivation for change. (10-30 mins)

Materials needed

  • Printed 'I Poem' template
  • Pens/pencils
  • Timer
  • Optional: Reflective questions handout

Facilitator tips

  • Emphasize the importance of a safe and supportive environment.
  • Offer a theme related to the course or workshop topic to focus the poems.
  • Be prepared to share your own 'I Poem' to model vulnerability.

Common pitfalls

  • Participants feeling uncomfortable sharing personal thoughts and feelings. - Offer alternative sharing options and emphasize that participation is voluntary.
  • Poems feeling generic or lacking depth. - Encourage participants to focus on specific experiences and emotions.

Variations

  • Use different poetic forms (e.g., haiku, free verse).
  • Have participants create collaborative poems in small groups.
  • Incorporate visual elements or music into the activity.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a shared document or collaborative whiteboard for poem drafting and sharing. Ensure private chat is available for those uncomfortable sharing publicly.

What it produces

Individual 'I poems' expressing personal values and motivations; shared reflections on the experience.

Origin

Developed with the help of Najiba Abdellaoui from BaaB Publishing — source

Build a session around Poetic Motivations

METODIC places Poetic Motivations inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

Generate a session with Poetic Motivations · Try METODIC free