Poetry Slam Poetry Slam The term Poetry Slam

Poetry Slam

Poetry Slam The term "Poetry Slam" is an umbrella category (not form) for any form of poem (Couplet, Rhyme, Free Verse, Alliteration, etc) meant to be performed for a live audience in a competitive environment. These performances are then judged on a numeric scale by previously selected members of the audience. Typically, poetry slam is highly politicized, speaking on many issues including current social and economic issues, gendered injustices, and racial issues. Poets are judged not only on the content of their slam but the manner of delivery and passion behind their words.

This I believe Public dialogue where you explain their beliefs. These essays are personal accounts that talk about yourself but still has a serious tone or message that the poet or essayist is trying to get across.

Examine the poem/essay What is the essayist or poet trying to do in the opening paragraph. What does the essayist or the poet use in the body paragraphs? What poetic devices does the essayist or the poet rely on in his poem/essay? What is the essayist or poet trying to do in the concluding paragraph?

RANTS most commonly defined as a free-verse prose poem written about an exasperating subject Things that annoy or frustrate you

RANTS/Poetry Slam Create a list of 10 things that bother you Create a list of 10 things that you are passionate about Settle on a single subject that provokes, annoys, exasperates or infuriates you. This subject will be the topic of your rant poem. Decide what tone you want your poem to convey. How do you want your poem to make the reader feel? You might want to make them laugh at your misery, or cringe at your excruciating details.

RANTS Write your rant poem by stringing sentences from your brainstorm together in chronological order. Rant or poetry slam poems, like prose, contain sentences and sentence fragments. Make sure each complaint flows to the next logically, like sentences do in paragraphs. Your concluding paragraph(s) should highlight the point that you want to make or stress in your poem. SLAM poetry is all about voicing problems and offering hope.

Good Rant/Poetry Slam 1. Rhythm—Even though SLAM poetry is written in free verse (no rules), it has a definite driving rhythm, but not a regular rhythm like in limericks. The rhythm is more closely related to the free verse rhythm that keeps the poem moving from one line to the next. 2. Repetition—SLAM poetry uses repetition like a wheel uses a hub and all the spokes link in the hub. SLAM poets return to the same word or phrase multiple times with in the poem to keep the reader returning time and again to the central focus. 3. Rhyme—While there is not a specific rhyme scheme, like in a limerick, the rhyme in SLAM poetry is used to direct the readers ear toward a particular idea or theme. The entire poem is never rhyming. Rhyme is used in delicate balance with rhythm and repetition as a tool for the poet.

Writing Activity Work on writing your rant or work on your Poetry Slam.