Introduction
What makes the spoken word so powerful? "Spoken word" poetry or "slam" poetry is fast becoming a powerful art form, especially among youth, in the United States. It is poetry that is meant to be read aloud and performed. It is usually very expressive and dramatic, and often includes social commentary. Find out more about this contemporary American art form and what makes it engaging and fresh.
Guiding Question
What makes slam poetry/spoken word a unique and important American art form?
Questions
1. How is spoken word poetry different and similar to other types of poetry? How is it related to rap and hip hop? Thing about diction, syntax, tone, delivery, etc.
2. What are some of the personal and/or social topics that often appear in spoken word poetry? What are the types of tones that slam poetry can take?
3. What is a poetry slam? How does it work?
4. Do other countries also hold poetry slams? How are they same/different from ours?
5. What people are generally drawn to slam poetry? Do you think that young people are drawn to this type of poetry? Why?
6. How could slam poetry liven things up in English classes?
7. Where and how was slam poetry born in America? What were the hot spots?
8. Who are some famous slam poets? What are the topics and themes of their writing?
9. what do critics of slam poetry dislike about slam poetry?
10. How does someone interested in slam poetry start writing this type of poetry and get involved in poetry slams?
Internet Resources
Poetry Slam
Spoken Word
Poetry Slam
Definitons of Terms
Setting up a Poetry Slam
Poetry Slam and Critics
Famous Poets
How to be a Poetry Slam Poet
Different Poetry Types
Activities
1. Read a book of slam poetry by a prominent current slam poet For three of the poems in the collection, explain the social message of the poem. Then, explain how the syntax and diction reinforce that social message.
2. Stage a poetry slam in your classroom. You can find tips for how to do this online.
3. Find a video of a poetry slam online or in a video store. Reflect on the two most powerful performances and explain what it was about the words and delivery that you found most powerful.
4. Write a piece of spoken-word poetry and perform it.
5. Draw a map and create a timeline that shows when and where slam poetry became popular in the US.
6. Research one slam poet's life and figure out how he got into the slam poetry. Does he do any related art forms? Possibly set up an interview with him and/or schedule a visit to have him speak at your school.
Ann Wang, Teacher, and Diana Kozlova, AP student, collaborated to develop this web hunt.
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