What is Spoken Word Poetry?What is Spoken Word Poetry?

Spoken word poetry is poetry that is written on Spoken word poetry is poetry that is written on a page but performed for an audience. a page but performed for an audience. Because it is performed, this poetry tends to Because it is performed, this poetry tends to demonstrate a heavy use of rhythm, demonstrate a heavy use of rhythm, improvisation, free association, rhymes, rich improvisation, free association, rhymes, rich poetic phrases, word play and slang. It is more poetic phrases, word play and slang. It is more aggressive and “in your face” than more aggressive and “in your face” than more traditional forms of poetry.traditional forms of poetry.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

What is slam poetry?What is slam poetry?

““Simply put, slam poetry is the Simply put, slam poetry is the competitive art of performance competitive art of performance poetry. It puts a dual emphasis poetry. It puts a dual emphasis on on writingwriting and and performanceperformance, , encouraging poets to focus on encouraging poets to focus on whatwhat they're saying and they're saying and howhow they're saying it.” - PSIthey're saying it.” - PSI

What is slam poetry?What is slam poetry? ““Slam poetry is a spoken word carnival, a Slam poetry is a spoken word carnival, a

performance university, a town hall performance university, a town hall meeting, a play plot, a sports arena, a meeting, a play plot, a sports arena, a sacred word temple, a burlesque show, a sacred word temple, a burlesque show, a revelation, a belly laugh, holy ground, and revelation, a belly laugh, holy ground, and possibly all of these at once. Slam poetry possibly all of these at once. Slam poetry is performance poetry, the marriage of is performance poetry, the marriage of poetry text and the professional poetry text and the professional presentation to an audience who is presentation to an audience who is encouraged to offer feedback.” - PSIencouraged to offer feedback.” - PSI

What is a poetry slam?What is a poetry slam? A poetry slam is A poetry slam is an eventan event in which poets in which poets

perform their work and are perform their work and are judged judged by by members of the audience. Typically, five members of the audience. Typically, five judges are selected from the audience and judges are selected from the audience and are instructed to give numerical scores (on are instructed to give numerical scores (on a zero to 10 or one to 10 scale) based on a zero to 10 or one to 10 scale) based on the poet's content and performance.the poet's content and performance.

The points are not the point; the point

is poetry.

Student ExamplesStudent Examples Student examples are Student examples are

available to view or available to view or download on download on Power Media Power Media PlusPlus. .

KeywordsKeywords: :

KincaidKincaid

SlamSlam

Spoken WordSpoken Word

Please consider adding video and/or audio of the spoken word performances at your school.

Spotlight on Shawnee MissionSpotlight on Shawnee Mission:  :  http://www.smsd.org/parents/medihttp://www.smsd.org/parents/media/default.asp?catid=8  a/default.asp?catid=8 

To view it, click on Spotlight 2 To view it, click on Spotlight 2 (12/12/08).  The segment is from (12/12/08).  The segment is from 12:50 - 17:37.12:50 - 17:37.

Shawnee Mission School StopsShawnee Mission School Stops: : http://www.smsd.org/parents/medihttp://www.smsd.org/parents/media/default.asp?catid=14  To view it, a/default.asp?catid=14  To view it, click on school board member click on school board member Larry Winn (5/9/08-School stop Larry Winn (5/9/08-School stop #5).  The segment is six minutes.#5).  The segment is six minutes.

2007 Poetry Slam Winners2007 Poetry Slam Winners

Moonlit WalkMoonlit Walk

High DiveHigh Dive

The BrainThe Brain

Open Mike vs. Poetry SlamOpen Mike vs. Poetry Slam Slam is engineered to provide the best Slam is engineered to provide the best

possible show for the audience, whereas possible show for the audience, whereas most open mike readings are engineered most open mike readings are engineered as a support network for poets. At a Slam, as a support network for poets. At a Slam, the audience is encouraged to react the audience is encouraged to react vocally and openly to all aspects of the vocally and openly to all aspects of the show, including the poet's performance, show, including the poet's performance, the judges' scores, and the host's banter.the judges' scores, and the host's banter.

Things to keep in mind when writing Things to keep in mind when writing a spoken word poem:a spoken word poem:

Use of concrete LanguageUse of concrete Language RepetitionRepetition RhymeRhyme AttitudeAttitude PersonaPersona PerformancePerformance

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

WRITE A POEM FOR PERFORMANCE

While memorization is not mandatory, it is encouraged. If you have some notes or a script, be well-rehearsed enough that you barely have to glance at it. Since this is PERFORMANCE poetry, you will need to use gestures in order to connect with the audience. Don’t let your script get in the way.

Official RulesOfficial RulesThough rules vary, the basic rules are:Though rules vary, the basic rules are:

Each poem must be of the poet's own constructionEach poem must be of the poet's own construction Each poet gets three minutes (plus a ten-second grace Each poet gets three minutes (plus a ten-second grace

period) to read one poem, if the poet goes over time, period) to read one poem, if the poet goes over time, points will be deducted from the total score.points will be deducted from the total score.

The poet may not use props, costumes, or musical The poet may not use props, costumes, or musical instruments.instruments.

Of the scores the poet received from the five judges, the Of the scores the poet received from the five judges, the high and low scores are dropped, and the middle three high and low scores are dropped, and the middle three are added together, giving the poet a total score are added together, giving the poet a total score ranging from zero to thirty.ranging from zero to thirty.

Partner and Group PerformancesPartner and Group Performancesare not only allowed but are ENCOURAGED!are not only allowed but are ENCOURAGED!

Spoken Word @ Mission ValleySpoken Word @ Mission Valley

Intramural weekIntramural week - last week of April - last week of April After school for 1 day or 3 days; perform on After school for 1 day or 3 days; perform on

Thursday after school in the library ONLY if you Thursday after school in the library ONLY if you wish!wish!

YOUR TURN!YOUR TURN!

Write your own spoken word poem using what Write your own spoken word poem using what you just learned. you just learned.

This will not be graded, but will be a good head start This will not be graded, but will be a good head start if you’re interested in MV’s if you’re interested in MV’s POETRY SLAM!POETRY SLAM!

5 pts. Extra credit for attending at least one day of 5 pts. Extra credit for attending at least one day of the poetry workshop (April 27the poetry workshop (April 27thth, 28, 28thth, and/or 29, and/or 29thth))

5 additional extra credit points for performing your 5 additional extra credit points for performing your poetry on April 30poetry on April 30thth..