1. Poetry

2. Slam Poetry
* It’s like a rap battle for poets without music.
Poetry slams are, most commonly, competitive readings where the audiences or judges reaction decides who wins. Poets can win money and other items…or nothing at all (if it’s an open mike).

3. What Wins a Slam Poetry Competition?
In the 3 mins and 20 seconds given to poets they will recite:
Striking, outrageous, or violent stories with interesting characters about illness, crime, abuse, discrimination, etc.
Use of a strong, assertive first-person narrator with striking language that can be vulgar, hip, or filled with slang.
Can contain humor, allusions, pop culture references, politics, or social history.
*But the most important thing about slam poetry is that the poets have a very thick skin.

4. The History of Slam
Poetry slams began to rise in the 1990’s when young poets were tired of the written verse.
Poetry, itself, began as a part of an oral tradition as those who created moving pieces were interested in the spoken and performed aspects of each poem.
Today’s slam poets are often politicized, focusing on racial, economic, and/or gender injustices.
Slam poetry can be said to have started with a construction worker named, Marc Smith.

5. Baraka’s Politics vs. Smith’s Politics
Spoken Word Poetry
Slam Poetry
Origins
African American and Native American Oral Traditions Harlem Renaissance, Beat Poetry Movement, Improv Theater
Important Theorists
Amiri Baraka, Harlem 1965
Marc Smith, Chicago 1989
Art inspired by
Malcolm X assassination
Boring poetry readings Nostalgia for Beat Poets
Baraka’s Politics vs. Smith’s Politics
Black Consciousness Cultural Nationalism
Democratize Art Save poetry from academics
Early Performers
Last Poets, New York 1968 Watts Prophets, LA 1965
Patricia Smith, Boston 1990 Gary Mex Glazner, SF 1990
Metaphor
Rapping Storytelling
A sporting event, Poetic boxing match
Historic Meeting
Last Poets meet national slam champion Patricia Smith at Lollapalloza’s Poetry Tent. Poetry Stage organized by slam poet Juliette Torrez. Spoken word exposed to new audiences in the Southwest and West Coast (Glazner 236).

6. Terms Associated with Spoken Word and Slam Poetry.
Beat Poetry – Poetry that evolved in the 1940’s after WWII, when poets started to questions mainstream politics and culture (known as the Beat Generation).
Spoken Word – A form of performance poetry that emerged in the late 1960’s from the Black Arts movement.
Slam Poetry – Spoken word poetry that is used in a competition format and given the time limit of about 3 minutes.
Slammaster – Is the Master of Ceremonies (MC) of a poetry slam.
Collective – A group of spoken word artists.