The Cut-Up Technique

The Cut-Up Technique is a creative method where existing texts are physically cut into sections and then rearranged randomly to produce new, unexpected compositions. This process challenges traditional structures, encouraging fresh associations and ideas. Developed by writers like William S. Burroughs and Brion Gysin in the mid-20th century, it is used to explore subconscious insights, generate poetry, or inspire innovative writing. Essentially, it transforms existing words into new patterns through accidental or deliberate reassembly, fostering spontaneity and breaking free from conventional narrative constraints.