Spoken word Poetry

This is really old… Homer 800 BC Old English poetry 400 AD Native American 8000 BC to present The Beats 1950s Slam Poetry 1980s to present

Introduction Slams were started by construction worker and poet Marc Smith in 1986 at a Chicago jazz club.

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

What is slam poetry? “Simply put, slam poetry is the competitive art of performance poetry. It puts a dual emphasis on writing and performance, encouraging poets to focus on what they're saying and how they're saying it.” - PSI

Use of concrete langugage Use words, phrases that give the listeners a vivid images, sounds, actions, and other sensations A poem rich with imagery will appeal to the listeners sense of sight, smell, and taste. Think of the 5 senses

Repetition & Rhyme Simple, but powerful poetic device. The repetition of a key phrase or image Rhyme enriches the performance if used with skill, surprise and moderation

Attitude & Persona Feelings and opinions are what a spoken word excel. Your unique perspecticve and view is what needs to come across Spoken word allows you to be anyone you want to be. You can use your “voice” or that of another.

performance Posture-stand up straight, chin up, head held high, shoulders back. Eye contact-don’t stare at the floor, make eye contact with various audience members. This will engage the audience. Projection-Speak loudly and clearly so that your voice travels. Enunciation-Don’t mumble. Speak clearly and distinctly so the audience hears every word. Facial Expressions-Smile if your poem is happy. Don’t if its not happy. Your expression should match the content.

Gestures &memorization Use body language and movements to emphasize different elements of your performance, but make sure movements aren’t distracting and without purpose. Committing a poem to memory will allow you to focus more on the performance. Memorization allows you to own it and expresses the emotional content, while allowing for some freestyle improvisation, which is essential in spoken word poetry.

examples