Here at You Can Journal, we’re all about creative writing. And no list of creative writing styles is complete without the inclusion of poetry!
Including poetry in your creative writing journal, art journal, free flow journal, or anywhere, really, adds undeniable beauty to the pages. While some forms of poetry, like blackout, stay in the pages of your journal, others are written to be performed in front of an audience.
Enter: Slam poetry!
Lucky for you, today’s post is all about how to write slam poetry in your creative writing journal…plus some tips for performing it for the first time!
Understanding Slam Poetry
Slam poetry is a powerful form of performance poetry. It blends writing and theatrical skills to create emotionally charged pieces.
While it’s always our main objective to focus on the journal where the poetry is written, it’s important that you first understand the origins of slam poetry and the slam poetry movement. So let’s start by exploring where it all began and talk about how this form of creative writing differs from traditional poetry.
The Birth of Slam Poetry
Slam poetry started in Chicago in the 1980s, when Marc Kelly Smith set a goal to bring poetry and poetry readings out of stuffy academic settings. He created slam poetry to make poetry more exciting and accessible.
With this new life breathed into spoken word poetry, the slam poetry movement spread quickly across the US, giving a voice to many people who felt out of place in more traditional poetry readings.
As if introducing this new form of creative writing wasn’t enough, Marc Kelly Smith then raised the stakes by creating slam poety competition. In these slam poetry events, known as “poetry slams”, poets perform their spoken word poetry and get scored by a panel of judges picked from the audience.
You can watch and participate in this form of poetry performance at cafes, bars, and theaters. It’s all about connecting with audience members through a passionate and powerful performance.
Slam Poetry vs. Traditional Poetry
Slam poetry is different from traditional poetry in many ways.
Here are just a few:
- Performance: Slam poetry is meant to be performed, not just read silently.
- Audience interaction: You goal is to emotionally connect with audience members.
- Time limit: Most poetry slams give you 3 minutes to perform.
- Language: Slam often uses everyday language and slang.
- Topics: Slam often tackles current social and political issues in poetry readings.
Traditional poetry tends to be more formal, often following set structures like sonnets or haikus.
In contrast, slam poetry is freer in form. Slam performance poets experiment with rhythm, rhyme, wordplay, and other poetic devices to create impact.
In slam, your delivery is just as important as your words. You use your voice, facial expressions, and body language to bring your spoken word poetry to life.
Writing Your First Slam Poem
Crafting a slam poem for the first time is not only super exciting but also incredibly rewarding. Focus on your unique experiences, take advantage of powerful literary devices, and find your natural rhythm to create an impactful piece.
Personal Experience and Common Themes
The best place to start is with what you know best – your own life and personal experience.
Think about moments that have elicited a strong emotional response. What made you laugh, cry, or feel angry?
Write down what you see, hear, taste, touch, and smell when you think about this personal experience.
Your first draft isn’t going to be perfect. That’s expected and all part of the process.
Just get your thoughts down on paper! You’ll polish it later.
Having trouble landing on a subject? One great way to get your creative juices flowing is to make a list of topics that matter to you.
Some common themes include:
- Family relationships
- Social injustices and issues you care about
- A life-changing event
- Your cultural background
Pick one that feels right and start writing. Don’t worry about rhyme or structure yet.
Employing Poetic Devices and Literary Devices
Now it’s time to add some flair to your first draft! Use poetic devices to make your slam poetry effective, powerful, and memorable.
These might include:
- Metaphors and similes
- Alliteration
- Repetition
- Imagery
Try to paint a vivid picture with your words. For example, instead of saying, “I was sad,” try, “My heart was a stone, sinking in a stormy sea.”
Use strong verbs and specific nouns.
Replace “walk” with “strut” or “stumble.” Specify “oak” instead of “tree.” Getting specific with your words will help to paint a clearer picture for audience members, eliciting a more powerful emotional response.
Finding Your Natural Rhythm
But of course, slam poetry isn’t intended to live out its life in the pages of your poetry journal…it’s meant to be performed! So read your poem out loud as you write.
How does it sound? Where do you naturally pause or speed up?
You want to craft your poem in a way that will resonate with audience members, so think about and focus on the tone and emotions you want to convey.
Try different line lengths and word patterns.
Short stanzas with punchy lines can create urgency. Longer, flowing lines might express calm or reflection.
Don’t force rhyme schemes if they don’t feel natural. Focus on the natural rhythm of your words and the power of your message.
Performing Your Slam Poem
Ready to bring your poetry journal to life on stage? This is where the magic really happens!
Your delivery can make or break your slam poetry, so it’s crucial to master a few key elements.
Mastering Facial Expressions and Body Language
Your face and body offer powerful tools for expressing emotion.
Practice in front of a mirror to perfect your facial expressions. Make sure your face is conveying emotion not only to those in the front row, but also to those sitting in the back.
Use your hands to emphasize important points. Move your body to mirror the rhythm of your words.
Don’t overdo it! Small, meaningful gestures can be more effective than wild movements when used very purposefully.
Stand tall and confident. Your posture tells the audience you believe in your words.
Remember to breathe and relax your shoulders to avoid looking stiff.
Engaging with the Audience
Slowly scan the room to ensure the entire audience feels included, but don’t rush – hold a gaze for a few seconds before moving on. Make eye contact with different audience members to connect with them on a more personal level.
Use pauses for effect. They give the audience time to absorb and more deeply connect with your words.
Vary your volume and speed to keep listeners engaged. Whisper for intimate moments, and raise your voice for powerful lines.
And be sure to read the room! If you sense audience members are losing interest, pick up the pace or add more energy to your delivery.
Preparing for Audience Participation
Some slam poetry events encourage audience participation. Be ready for reactions like snapping fingers, clapping, or verbal responses.
If audience members shout encouragement, acknowledge it with a nod or smile without losing your flow.
Consider adding a call-and-response element to your poem to get the audience involved and create a shared experience. But keep it simple – you want the focus to stay on your words.
While it’s tempting to practice your performance in a quiet room where you can focus, consider practicing with some background noise too! This can help you learn how to maintain your flow despite distractions from audience participation.
Participating in Slam Poetry Competition
Poetry slams are exciting slam poetry events where you can share your work. You’ll get to perform your poems and receive scores from a panel of judges.
It’s a fun way to connect with other performance poets and grow as an artist.
Understanding Slam Poetry Competitions
Poetry slams are lively contests where spoken word poets perform their work. You’ll typically have 3 minutes to recite your poem, with judges scoring your performance.
What’s cool about poetry slams is that Marc Kelly Smith introduced the concept of picking a panel of judges from the audience, rather than sourcing professional poets or experts on traditional poetry for the job.
Audience judging allows for a diverse range of opinions and reflects the immediate impact of the poem on those present, rather than relying on the potentially narrow criteria of professional judges. This method also fosters a sense of community and participation among attendees, making the slam poetry movement even more lively and inclusive.
The scoring system is usually 0-10, with 10 being the highest score.
Judges consider both your writing and delivery. They want to see passion and connection with audience members, often reflected by audience participation.
Most slams have multiple rounds. The performance poets with the highest scores move on to the next round, with the final round determining the winner.
Remember though, it’s not just about winning! Poetry slams offer a great way to meet other poets and get feedback on your work.
Navigating Scores and Feedback
Getting scored can be nerve-wracking, especially when your topic is near and dear to your heart, but try to view it as helpful feedback.
Don’t be discouraged if you receive low scores the first time…or even the tenth time! Remember that they’re just one opinion and that the heart of slam poetry events is really about connecting with others.
Here are some tips for handling feedback:
- Stay positive.
- Listen carefully.
- Ask questions if you’re unsure.
- Thank the judges for their time.
Take some time to reflect on feedback after slam events.
While you may not agree with all of the feedback, there might be some hidden gems in there that could help you grow and advance your art! Use those gems to improve your work and performance.
Expanding Your Poetry Skills
Developing your slam poetry talents involves exploring creative writing techniques and tapping into educational resources. These approaches offer a great way to help you craft more powerful and engaging performances.
Creative Writing and Slam Poetry
Creative writing exercises can boost your slam poetry skills!
Try free writing for 10 minutes every day to help unleash your creativity.
Focus on using your five senses in your writing. Describe what you see, hear, taste, touch, and smell related to your topic.
Consider writing a poem using a new form or style each week to help expand your repertoire.
Play with wordplay and figurative language.
Use metaphors, similes, and personification to give a more vivid picture of your ideas. Practice writing about everyday objects in unusual ways.
Join a writing group or take a creative writing class at your community college. Sharing your work and getting feedback can help you improve more quickly.
Exploring Educational Resources
There are loads of great resources to help you learn about slam poetry.
Watch slam poetry videos online to observe different styles and techniques in action. TED-Ed animations often feature poetry and can inspire new ideas.
Look for lesson plans and writing prompts online. These can offer you structure and direction for your creative writing practice.
Attend local poetry events and open mics.
Watching live performances can teach you a lot about delivery and audience engagement. Don’t be afraid to perform your own work there – practice makes perfect!
So…now you know how to write slam poetry in your poetry journal and how to perform it. All that’s left is to get started on your first draft.
You’ve got this friend! Happy (slam poetry) journaling!
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