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- Spoken word isn’t just an art form; it’s a means of expression that gives voice to both personal and collective experiences. It’s a creative type of communication that goes beyond the limitations of conventional written poetry, giving writer-performers a platform to express their innermost thoughts and social critiques.
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Aug 23, 2021 · Spoken word poetry is a performance art that transcends the written form. If you’ve ever watched slam poetry or a dramatic monologue at an open mic night, the intense, emotional delivery may have stayed with you long after it was over.
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- Spoken Word Poetry Definition
- History of Spoken Word Poetry
- Elements of Spoken Word Poetry
- Best Spoken Word Poetry Examples
- Spoken Word Poetry vs. Traditional Poetry
- Related Poetry Forms
- Other Resources
Spoken word poetry is a broad designation for the poetic works which are intended for performance. This spoken-word performance art mainly involves a poetic text meant for reading out loud and a performer. Both are inseparable as the words are written for performance rather than to be read as it is, directly from the book or paper, without emotions...
The oral poetry tradition has existed in society for several years, through a cycle of listening, practice, and memorization. In ancient Greece, the lyrics were similar to modern-day spoken word poetry. Performance poetry has existed in Africa from prehistoric times. The genre developed in the United States in the early 20th-century. According to s...
Subject
The subject is what the poem is about. It includes the topics that in one way or the other have an impact on the performer or the writer. The main purpose of the spoken word is to give a message to society. Some of the recurring topics in spoken word poetry are racism, inequality, social justice, corruption, gender, and LGBTQ issues. Explore some of the best-known LGBTQ poems.
Gateway Line
The gateway line is the combination of the first few lines of a spoken word that are meant for introducing the subject to the audience. It could be the first line or a group of lines that tells the audience where the story or narrative is heading. This element contains hooks in order to entice the audience.
Motif
A motif is a recurring idea across a literary text. Spoken word poetry includes the repetition of one word, line, or idea several times during the performance. There can be one or more motifs that help the performer enhance the work’s larger meaning. For instance, In ‘Black Privilege,’ Crystal Valentine uses the line “Black privilege is the hung elephant swinging in the room” as a motif as well as the gateway line.
When the Fat Girl Gets Skinny by Blythe Baird
This poem is about a speaker’s struggle with her obesity, her body, and her mind. The preconceived notions of staying thin and eating lean have not only made her fed up with her own body but also made her give up hope in herself. This piece contains the use of wordplay, poetic devices, and straightforward diction.
Hair by Elizabeth Acevedo
‘Hair’ by Elizabeth Acevedo touches upon the themes of identity, black consciousness, cultural assimilation, and pride. This poem is about a girl, who refuses to “whiten” her hair which is as beautiful as the way it is. She does not want to forget the history of blacks drawn by chains as slaves. Her strangled, curly hair is the symbol of their identity that she bears with pride. Explore these incredible Black Lives Matter poems.
Principles by Danez Smith
Smith’s ‘Principles’ is a long poem consisting of five sections. This piece begins with a powerful repetition of the phrase “ask if,” interrogating the audience to look within and ponder upon the issues largely ignored. Through this piece, Smith wants to question what should be our principles to create a better society.
Spoken word poetry is an oral performance art form and traditional poetry is a written form of art. Traditional poems include a set structure, form, rhyme scheme, and meter. In the case of the spoken word, there are no set rules concerning how to structure the text. Most of the spoken-word poetry is in free-verse with varying line lengths and conta...
Ballad: is a kind of versethat is narrative in nature and is often set to music.Ghazal: is a form of poetry that is constructed with couplets and rhymingwords.Watch: How To Write Spoken Word PoetryLearn: About Harlem RenaissanceRead: ‘The 17-Year-Old & the Gay Bar’ by Danez SmithExplore: An Eight-Step Guide to Write a PoemJun 24, 2024 · Spoken word is a poetic genre in which performers recite their original pieces aloud. It is marked by powerful vocal inflections, spontaneity, and theatrics. More freeform than traditional...
May 5, 2024 · 1. Start With A Topic. 2. Draft The Poem. 3. Edit And Refine. 4. Perform Your Poem. 5. Get Creative. 6. Develop Your Own Style. 7. Find The Right Platform. 8. Take Feedback. 9. Be Open-Minded. Writing spoken word poetry is a great way to start out on your poetic journey.
Oct 30, 2023 · 1. Start With the Basics. 2. Know Your Audience. 3. Choose a Topic of Interest. 4. Create the Narrative. 5. Create Powerful Rhyme. 6. Elevate Your Spoken Word Poem. 7. Rehearse the Piece. 8. Use Simple Grammar Structures. 9. Write What You Know and Believe. 10. Find Your Voice and Style. 11. My Own Voice. 12. Learn From Others. 13.
Sep 8, 2023 · The term “spoken word poetry” is an intentionally broad label. In basic terms, spoken word poetry refers to any kind of poetry that is performed in some or another way. The term originated in the late-20 th century as a means to return to some of the origins of poetry as part of the oral tradition.
Spoken word poetry should incorporate certain words and phrases that can create vivid images, sounds, actions, and other feelings and sensations in your readers. If you spoken poetry is strong and rich with imagery, your audience will be able to feel, smell, and taste along with your poem.
