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Spoken word is a term for poetry recited aloud, based on sound and intonation rather than visual aesthetics. Learn about the origins and development of spoken word in various cultures and traditions, from ancient Greece to modern America.
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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.
- Spoken Word Poetry Definition
- History of Spoken Word Poetry
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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 PoemLearn about spoken word poetry, a poetic form that is meant for performance and incorporates wordplay, intonation, and oral traditions. Explore the history, elements, and best examples of this modern art form that addresses social issues and cultural values.
Spoken word is poetry intended for performance, with roots in oral traditions and elements of music, sound, and dance. Learn about spoken word's history, characteristics, and examples from the Poetry Foundation.
Mar 6, 2018 · Jesse is a spoken word artist and proof of the power of poetry for positive change. Jesse found that poetry opened discussions about his experiences of homel...
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- TEDx Talks
Nov 10, 2017 · Learn about the origins and evolution of spoken word poetry in England, featuring artists and events from Apples and Snakes, the leading organisation for performance poetry. Watch the animated video and explore the online archive of spoken word recordings.
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- Apples and Snakes
Aug 9, 2024 · Learn about the origins and evolution of spoken word poetry, from its jazz and blues influences to its slam and social justice movements. Discover five influential poets who have shaped and popularized this subgenre, from Bob Kaufman to Brandon Leake.