Go to accessnyt.com. From there, enter "Monmouth University" and follow the instructions. Once you’ve set up your account, you can go directly to nytimes.com on subsequent visits to access the site.
Browse digital versions of the latest issues of popular magazines. Includes access to the latest issues of The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, Consumer Reports, National Geographic, Rolling Stone, and Forbes.
Access to latest issues of The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, Consumer Reports, National Geographic, Rolling Stone and Forbes.
Select Your Text: Start by finding a piece of online text that inspires you. You can use any online source, but consider exploring library resources like online newspapers, magazines, or reference sources. These offer a rich variety of language to work with.
Copy and Paste: Once you've chosen your text, copy and paste it into the online blackout poetry maker. This tool will allow you to easily select and highlight the words that stand out to you.
Identify Key Words or Phrases: As you review the text, begin identifying words or short phrases that catch your eye. These could be words that resonate with you or fit the mood you want to create in your poem. Don’t rush this process—take your time to explore different combinations.
Refine Your Selection: Go back over the text several times, refining your choices until you're satisfied with the final words that will form your poem. The more you revisit the text, the more meaningful your final selection will be.
Create Your Blackout Poem: Use the blackout poetry maker to visually block out the remaining text, leaving only your chosen words visible.
Download Your Poem: Once you're satisfied with your blackout poem, download it as an image file.
Next Steps: Now that you have your blackout poem, you can use PowerPoint or an online photo editor to create a digital collage.
Instructions for Creating a Digital Collage in PowerPoint
Open PowerPoint: Start by opening PowerPoint on your computer. As a Monmouth University student, you have access to PowerPoint through your university account.
Import Your Blackout Poem: Insert the image of your blackout poem into a new slide by selecting Insert > Pictures > This Device. Locate and select the image file you downloaded earlier.
Remove the Background: Once your image is inserted, select it and then click on Picture Format at the top of the screen. Choose Remove Background. PowerPoint will automatically try to identify the background to remove. Use the Mark Areas to Keep or Mark Areas to Remove tools if needed to fine-tune the selection. This will isolate your text while removing the black background.
Find Free Images: To enhance your collage, visit websites like Unsplash, Pixabay, or Pexels to find free images that you can legally use. Download your chosen images onto your computer. You may also want to use your own photos. Note: do not use the "Stock Photo" feature in PowerPoint. If you plan to save your collage, that would be a copyright violation.
Add Images to PowerPoint: Return to PowerPoint and upload the free images by selecting Insert > Pictures > This Device and locating the files you downloaded.
Customize Your Collage: Position and resize the images around your blackout poem to create your collage. Use PowerPoint’s tools to crop, adjust transparency, or apply effects. Experiment with different layouts and layers to achieve your desired look.
Save as an Image: Once you’re happy with your digital collage, save it as an image file. Go to File > Save As and choose the location where you want to save the file. In the Save as type dropdown menu, select an image format like JPEG or PNG, and click Save.
Consider Crediting the Sources: If you plan to post your digital collage on social media, consider crediting the original sources for any images and text you used.
Instructions for Creating a Digital Collage in Adobe Express
Access Adobe Express: Start by opening Adobe Express. As a Monmouth University student, you have access to Adobe Express through your university account. You can access it online through your browser.
Start a New Project: Once you’re in Adobe Express, click on the + button to create a new project. Select the option to create a Custom Size Graphic or choose a template that suits your needs.
Upload Your Blackout Poem: Upload the image of your blackout poem by selecting Photos > Upload Photo from your device. Locate and select the image file you downloaded earlier.
Remove the Background: Adobe Express has tools that allow you to remove the background from images. Select your blackout poem image, then click on the Remove Background option. Adjust the selection if necessary to remove the black background while keeping your text visible. Note: if the background removal tool doesn't work well for this, try the Erase tool. If you're still unhappy with the results, you can easily remove backgrounds in PowerPoint.
Find Free Images: To enhance your collage, visit websites like Unsplash, Pixabay, or Pexels to find free images that you can legally use. Download your chosen images onto your computer.
Add Images to Adobe Express: Return to Adobe Express and upload the free images by selecting Photos > Upload Photo. You can also search for stock images directly within Adobe Express by using the Photos option. If you use Adobe stock images, be sure to comply with the usage license.
Customize Your Collage: Position, resize, and arrange the images around your blackout poem to create your collage. Use Adobe Express’s tools to crop, adjust transparency, apply filters, or add effects. You can also experiment with layering and blending options to achieve your desired look.
Consider Crediting the Sources: If you plan to post your digital collage on social media, consider crediting the original sources for any images and poetry you used. This can be done by including a small text box with the credits on your project.
Download Your Collage: Once you’re satisfied with your digital collage, download it by clicking on the Download button in the upper right corner. Choose the file format that works best for your needs, such as JPEG or PNG.
Optional: Animate Your Collage to Create a Video
Select Elements to Animate: To add animation to your collage, select any element (your blackout poem, stock images, or other graphic items). Click on the Animation tab at the top of the workspace.
Choose an Animation Effect: Adobe Express offers a variety of animation options, such as Fade In, Slide, Zoom, or Pan. Click on your chosen effect to apply it to the selected element. You can animate multiple parts of your collage, such as the poem and individual images.
Adjust Timing and Speed: Customize the timing and speed of each animation by selecting the element and adjusting the timing slider in the animation settings. This allows you to control how long each animation lasts and the order in which the elements appear.
Preview Your Animation: Once you've applied animations, click the Play button to preview how the animated collage will look as a video.
Download as a Video: When you're satisfied with the animated collage, click the Download button. Instead of downloading as an image, choose the video format (MP4) and download your project as a short video.
