1. Slam: Performance Poetry Lives on & Euphoria Name:___________________Date:_______

2. 1.)youradjective Def: belonging to you Ex.) Your boots are like mine. Ex.) I need you to turn in your homework. Ex.) I like your smile! Your sentences: 1.) 2.) 3.)

3. 2.)you’recontraction Def: you are If you are having trouble remembering when to use you’re, replace the word with “you are”. If it makes sense use the contraction “you’re”. If it doesn't, then use “your”. Ex.) You’re in my art class. Ex.) I hope you’re going to work on your vocabulary sentences tonight. Your sentences: 1.) 2.) 3.)

4. 3.)recitationnoun Def: speaking a poem or other text aloud in front of other people Context: “Zang’s recitation is a mix of rant, rhetoric, and stand-up comedy, with dashes or hip-hop and rap.” Ex. 1.) Jermiah delivered a recitation of his newest poem in front of the class. 2.) Ms. Morse gave a recitation on the U.S. constitution during history class. Your sentences: 1.) 2.)

5. 4.)expressionnoun Def: a way to get thoughts or feelings across to another person Context: “As the founders of the literary organization Youth Speaks put it, slam is a form of expression.” Ex.) The art of expression is the ability to communicate in a creative way. Ex.) Poetry is one form of creative expression. Ex.) Tupac’s rap music and poetry are his expressions about what he has experienced in life. Your sentences: 1.) 2.)

6. 5.) transcend (-s, -ing, -ed)verb Def: to rise above or go beyond Context: “a generation reciting struggles and successes on open microphones…transcending traditional stereotypes by speaking their truths…” Ex.) Art is something that transcends the limits of language. Ex.) The love Romeo had for Juliet transcended the hatred their families had for one another. Ex.) Hip-hop music is transcending urban cities and reaching every corner of the world. Your sentences: 1.) 2.)

7. 6.)structurenoun Def: the way something is set up Context: “The structure of the traditional slam is spoken-word performance of three minutes plus a ten- second grace period” Ex.) My poem has a structure that includes verses and rhyme. Ex.) The structure of your school day includes 6 periods of classes, one break, and a 40 minute lunch. Your sentences: 1.) 2.)

8. 7.)emphasisnoun Def: a special focus or importance Context: “The emphasis on performance soon led to the energetic brand of poetry know as slam.” Ex.) Ms. Morse puts a lot of emphasis on how her students’ behavior should reflect grace and beauty. Ex.) The emphasis on essay writing in class helps all students get ready for the High School Exit Exam. Your sentences: 1.) 2.)

9. 8.) compose (-s, -ed, -ing)verb Def: to write a poem or song Context: “Composed around the eighth century B.C.E., this epic poem was most likely the combination of several oral stories about the journey of Odysseus.” Ex.) Ms. Morse ask her students to compose a poem about overcoming adversity in their lives. Ex.) Darren is working on composing his first rap song. Your sentences: 1.) 2.)

10. 9.) uniqueadjective Def: special, unusual Context: “Like today’s slam artists, the Beats came to be known for their unique performance styles.” Ex.) Lady Gaga has a unique fashion sense. Ex.) The house shaped like a guitar is unique. Ex.) Marie Antoinette had a variety of unique hair styles. Your sentences: 1.) 2.)

11. 10.)coordinate (-s, -ed, -ing)verb Def: to organize, to be in charge of something Context: “He coordinates the Austin National Slams, of Austin, Texas.” Ex.) Celia and Yaquelin were in charge of coordinating the upcoming school dance. Ex.) Hunter and Rian volunteered to coordinate the upcoming canned food drive for needy families in the community. Your sentences: 1.) 2.0

12. 11.)improvisationnoun Def: something done without pre-planning Context: “In a slam there’s always an element of improvisation.” Ex.) When I forgot to prepare a speech for class, improvisation was my only option. Ex.) Rap war artists and participations that have to come up with lyrics at a moments notice are great at improvisation. Ex.) Good stand-up comedians have to practice their improvisation. Your sentences: 1.) 2.)

13. 12.) phenomenon noun Def: something extraordinary and impressive that everyone gets excited about. Context: “The poetry slam is a rapidly growing phenomenon…” Ex.) The new music video is a real phenomenon; people everywhere are watching it. ex.) Many people think that Tupac is a rap phenomenon. ex.) The meteor shower was a phenomenon that had everyone in awe of its beauty. Your sentences: 1.) 2.)

14. 13.) there (adverb) Def: that place or position Ex.) The book is over there on the table. Ex.) Jamie went to New York yesterday. She is there now. Ex.) Ms. Morse likes to visit Boston. She once lived there. Your sentences: 1.) 2.) 3.)

15. 14.) their (pronoun) Def: belonging to them 1.) Their beautiful house is on Bancroft Street. 2.) Someone left their book on the table and I’m going to return it to them. 3.) Their dancing inspires me to take lessons, so I enrolled in classes today. Your sentences: 1.) 2.) 3.)

16. 15.) they’recontraction Def: a contraction of “they are” Ex.) They’re tired of writing essays, so they are going to take a break. Ex.) They’re going to the mall to shop and have dinner. Ex.) Edith and Luisa decided to put their differences aside; they’re going to best of friends forever! Your sentences: 1.) 2.) 3.)