It is performed at events called poetry slams, or simply slams. The name slam came from how the audience has the power to praise or, sometimes, destroy a poem and from the high-energy performance style of the poets.

What’s the difference between slam poetry and poetry?

A major difference between Slam Poetry and Spoken Word poetry is the competitive element. Slam Poetry is often performed in front of judges and a winner is chosen at the end of the event. Spoken word does not include competition and is usually just a place where people can showcase their work.

What is special about slam poetry?

Put simply, slam poetry is not concerned with academia or publishing. Slam poetry is stage-based, and it incorporates several key elements: spoken word poetry, performance, audience participation, and competition. The competitive aspect of a poetry slam event is key.

What are the 5 rules of slam poetry?

HOW TO WRITE SLAM POETRY

• Make your poetry slam original. The written piece must be original. …
• Pay attention to time. Each poet has 3 minutes to perform. …
• Keep it simple and relatable. Your poem should be able to reach your audience the first time it’s heard. …
• Perform with rhythm and passion. …
• Practice with Power Poetry.

How would you describe poetry slam?

A poetry slam is a competition in which individuals or teams perform their own personal poetry before an audience, which judges the poems and the artists’ performances. Poetry slams are often held on college campuses or at coffee houses. The poetry slam was the invention of construction worker and poet Marc Smith.

What makes poetry slams different from other types of spoken word performances?

A spoken word refers to a poem written and has to be performed. It refers to poetry that is written for performance on stage. It can be performed anywhere the poet chooses to or wherever he has a platform to perform. Slam poetry is performed as a form of competition with other poets.

Why is slam poetry so popular?

By channeling emotions outward and drawing inspiration from the world at large, slam poetry also makes approaching the medium less intimidating, as it rids neophytes of the fear of poetry’s intimacy, instead encouraging them to engage as an act of social consciousness.

Do you rhyme in slam poetry?

The form: Your poem doesn’t have to have a set rhythm or rhyme scheme, but many poems repeat sounds (alliteration, internal rhyme, consonance, assonance) to make the poem more interesting. Slam poems are usually free verse, but they can use line breaks and punctuation for emphasis just like traditional poems.

Who is a famous slam poet?

As a slam poetry performer, Taylor Mali has been on seven National Poetry Slam teams; six appeared on the finals stage and four won the competition (1996 with Team Providence; 1997, with Team NYC-Urbana).