Slam Poetry
Slam poetry is poetry with performance. It’s the words that are written to be spoken, strategically placed pauses for breath or emphasis or dramatic effect, and the volume at which the words are said, and the tone behind them. Traditionally, “slam poetry” is a competition art, where poets gather at a Poetry Slam and there are rules about poem length, and a winner is declared. During the CreativiTea meeting on Slam Poetry, we acknowledged this format, while also introducing it in a low-pressure, noncompetitive environment aimed at familiarizing club members with the idea of ‘performance poetry.’ Want to give it a try? Take a look at the presentation made for that meeting, watch some video examples, and start writing!
Want to go over the PowerPoint from our club meeting?
Feel free to review the PowerPoint on Slam Poetry, presented by Julia Simpson. Click the "P" icon below to access the presentation!
Slam Poetry
ActiviTea
Lets write some slam poetry!
This recipe for a slam poem comes from slide 5 of the powerpoint:
-
Choose a topic that's personal, something you really have something to say about
-
Can be humorous, serious, indignant, angry, jubilant ... the only rule is it has to be true to how you feel about the subject.
-
Write your poem! Pay attention to:
-
Building a narrative: What story are you telling? What message are you trying to communicate? What piece of knowledge/understanding are you trying to share?
-
Diction/word choice: Be aware of how the words you choose to write sound when spoken aloud together. Do they flow? Do they grate upon one another? Both can be effective, but it has to be intentional, and it has to contribute to the story/tone you are trying to convey.
-
-
Practice! Learn how the words feel, and how to communicate them well.
-
Perform your poem.
-
