2. What is Spoken Word Poetry? 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. 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. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

3. 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 “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

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

5. What is a poetry slam? A poetry slam is an event in which poets perform their work and are judged by members of the audience. Typically, five judges are selected from the audience and are instructed to give numerical scores (on a zero to 10 or one to 10 scale) based on the poet's content and performance. A poetry slam is an event in which poets perform their work and are judged by members of the audience. Typically, five judges are selected from the audience and are instructed to give numerical scores (on a zero to 10 or one to 10 scale) based on the poet's content and performance. The points are not the point; the point is poetry.

6. Student Examples Student examples are available to view or download on Power Media Plus. Student examples are available to view or download on Power Media Plus. Keywords: Keywords:KincaidSlam Spoken Word Please consider adding video and/or audio of the spoken word performances at your school.

7. Spotlight on Shawnee Mission: http://www.smsd.org/par ents/media/default.asp?catid=8 Spotlight on Shawnee Mission: http://www.smsd.org/par ents/media/default.asp?catid=8 http://www.smsd.org/par ents/media/default.asp?catid=8http://www.smsd.org/par ents/media/default.asp?catid=8 To view it, click on Spotlight 2 (12/12/08). The segment is from 12:50 - 17:37. Shawnee Mission School Stops: http://www.smsd.org/parents/medi a/default.asp?catid=14 To view it, click on school board member Larry Winn (5/9/08-School stop #5). The segment is six minutes. Shawnee Mission School Stops: http://www.smsd.org/parents/medi a/default.asp?catid=14 To view it, click on school board member Larry Winn (5/9/08-School stop #5). The segment is six minutes. http://www.smsd.org/parents/medi a/default.asp?catid=14 http://www.smsd.org/parents/medi a/default.asp?catid=14

8. 2007 Poetry Slam Winners Moonlit Walk Moonlit Walk Moonlit Walk Moonlit Walk High Dive High Dive High Dive High Dive The Brain The Brain The Brain The Brain

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

10. Things to keep in mind when writing a spoken word poem: Use of concrete Language Use of concrete Language Repetition Repetition Rhyme Rhyme Attitude Attitude Persona Persona Performance Performance The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

11. 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.

12. Official Rules Though rules vary, the basic rules are: Each poem must be of the poet's own construction Each poem must be of the poet's own construction Each poet gets three minutes (plus a ten-second grace period) to read one poem, if the poet goes over time, points will be deducted from the total score. Each poet gets three minutes (plus a ten-second grace period) to read one poem, if the poet goes over time, points will be deducted from the total score. The poet may not use props, costumes, or musical instruments. The poet may not use props, costumes, or musical instruments. Of the scores the poet received from the five judges, the high and low scores are dropped, and the middle three are added together, giving the poet a total score ranging from zero to thirty. Of the scores the poet received from the five judges, the high and low scores are dropped, and the middle three are added together, giving the poet a total score ranging from zero to thirty.

13. Partner and Group Performances are not only allowed but are ENCOURAGED!

14. Spoken Word @ Mission Valley Intramural week - last week of April Intramural week - last week of April After school for 1 day or 3 days; perform on Thursday after school in the library ONLY if you wish! After school for 1 day or 3 days; perform on Thursday after school in the library ONLY if you wish!

15. YOUR TURN! Write your own spoken word poem using what you just learned. Write your own spoken word poem using what you just learned. This will not be graded, but will be a good head start if you’re interested in MV’s POETRY SLAM! This will not be graded, but will be a good head start if you’re interested in MV’s POETRY SLAM! 5 pts. Extra credit for attending at least one day of the poetry workshop (April 27 th, 28 th, and/or 29 th ) 5 pts. Extra credit for attending at least one day of the poetry workshop (April 27 th, 28 th, and/or 29 th ) 5 additional extra credit points for performing your poetry on April 30 th. 5 additional extra credit points for performing your poetry on April 30 th.