1. Exercises & Techniques
Performing Poetry
Exercises & Techniques

2. Voice Emphasis Exercise
Reading with emphasis means to read a word louder, slower, and more dramatically than the other words in a poem.
I need 13 volunteers to read a quick poem!
Does the meaning change with each emphasis?
Underline words to emphasize in your slam poem.

3. Pitch, Volume, and Pacing
I need 2 volunteers to read a quick poem!
One must read very slowly, much slower than you would in a presentation.
One must read as fast as possible.
Discuss the effectiveness of both readings.
Now, Ms. Reyes will read at a regular rate.

4. Characterization using different voices
I need 5 volunteers to read a quick poem!
You should over exaggerate and be as dramatic as possible.

5. Using Emotion
I need 1 volunteer to say the following using different emotions:
What’s so funny?
Happy
Sad
Angry
Afraid

6. Using Emotion
I need 8 volunteers to read one line while expressing emotion!
When each volunteer is done, the audience should guess what emotion the person is trying to convey.

7. Delivery Techniques
Stance: Face the audience, feet shoulder width apart
Posture: stand up straight unless the poem calls for a change in emotion that requires a different posture (e.g., slumping may show sadness)
Gestures: hands should remain at your sides until gestures are appropriate to support the content of the poem.
Movement: should always be purposeful and planned
Eye Contact: Maintain eye contact with audience members (except for the ones that might make you laugh)

8. Delivery Exercise
One volunteer needed to read a poem of their choice (or I can provide one for you).
Audience: Each time one of the following happens while the volunteer is reciting the poem, CLAP ONCE:
Person is not standing up straight.
Person is not making eye contact.
Person uses inappropriate gestures (e.g., tugging at clothing)
Person is swaying or moving awkwardly