Exercise 6.5

Exquisite Corpse

This version of the game is played with words. Everyone writes an article and an adjective on a piece of paper, then folds it to conceal the words and passes it to their neighbor. Now everyone writes a noun on the paper they are holding, folds it again to conceal their word, and passes it to their neighbor. Repeat with a verb; repeat with another article and adjective; finally, repeat with a noun. Everyone unfolds their papers and reads the poems they are holding aloud. One of the first poems written this way was: “The exquisite corpse shall drink the new wine,” which is how the game gets its name.

Article, Adjective, Noun, Verb, Article, Adjective, Noun

  • The mysterious heart hesitate the dispensable recommendation

  • The used chest outline a dysfunctional client

  • The plausible warning cater an even meat

  • A careful youth proclaim a scarce energy

  • The cooperative uncle tackle the freezing paper

  • An abashed association import the tangible entry


We had a group of six friends that came together to complete this activity. It was fun but none of the phrases really made any sense. There were some good laughs though.