How+to+Slam+a+Poem

Feel free to add links to slam poem videos here. Please be sure to watch the videos before posting, to ensure that they are __**school appropriate**__!

Here is a really fun slam poem about old school video games! (One of Ms. Kinnear's favorites!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqnWyJP_eik

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S6av4lb3po

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdnac87a_ZY

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Here is a link that describes slam poetry, and has a few good examples. [] - Sarah Ma

Here are a few tips on how to SLAM your poem:
 * 1) Memorize your poem. If you memorize your poem you will be able to use you hands and facial expressions more, so you can show and give more emotion to your audience.
 * 2) Don't be embarrassed and don't laugh. Everybody should respect you and your poem and if you laugh people will most likely laugh with you and think your joking around.
 * 3) Put your heart into it. Show all the emotions you were feeling when you wrote your poem.
 * 4) HAVEEE FUN!

By: Ashley Backe

Here are a few useful tips on slamming your poem: · Act it out. - If it's funny, act funny. - If it's a sad poem, get into character and look/feel sad.

· Practice it before you read it aloud - Practice it in front of your friends or parents and ask them for feedback.

· Get 'deep' - Analyze your poem. Does it compare to what’s happened to you in the past? If so, how did this event feel? Interpret feelings you’ve had into your poem. You can deliver a strong performance if you really get deep and know what you are going to say.

· Don’t be afraid - Take a deep breath before you slam your poem and remind yourself you will do really well! Think positive and have fun with it!

-Lindy W

I agree with Lindy on these helpful tips to slam a poem. The last two years, my poem wasn't presented with enough expression, and so I didn't get a good score, but If you present by acting it out and getting into character, it makes the audience feel like they are connected with the poem. ~Ella G

I also agree with Lindy on the tips for the slam a poem. Last year, I got so nervous before the slam that it sounded like I was crying when I was presenting my poem. Take a deep breath, and its really not that bad when you are reading your poem. Also, be loud so everyone can hear you. It really helps you get a better score. ~ Sophia D. The hardest thing about writing a poem is definitely coming up with an idea of what you want to do. I, personally, like to look for song lyrics that I really like, because everyone has those. It's easy to associate good ideas with things you actually like. And in my opinion once you come up with a line or two, the rest of the poem is really easy, It becomes extremely natural. KKTHNXBAi ~Chanler H.

I really like Chanler's idea of looking up song lyrics and get some ideas to write your poem. That way is easy to get ideas. Also do write your poem about something you like and you are familiar with. I also agree with Lindy you have to know you poem by heart and act to it, you have to really get into it. ~Angie T

Thank you Lindy for the tips they've really helped me to write my poem. Also never write about something you don't know about because it would make it more difficult for you to feel the poem and write the poem. At the start I had a little hard time on finding a theme for my poem, what helped me is to think about things I like doing or seeing. I just need to practice how to say it with more emotion and for that I am saying it in front of my friends. -Maria Freyria

Lindy, Chae, that's great advice. The point of a slam poem is to be able to put yourself into it. In 6th grade I wrote mine about a river that I love, and it was getting clogged up. I performed in front of the middle school, and it was nerve wracking... and I made a mistake. I was about to freak out, but I just took a deep breath and reminded myself that if I made a mistake, no one would care as long as I could make them see how much I love what I wrote about.

Tip: Put your heart into it, so that you can be telling the truth when you speak!

Paulina M.

Lindy and Chanler, thanks for the helpful tips! Also, Angie, Maria and Paulina, thanks for the feedback on their posts. I get stage fright very easily and I start to shake so I have to move around. To act it out, you really have to get into the poem and feel the emotion. I know if i practice my poem over and over again, and read it to some classmates and peers I can memorize it and feel the emotion well. It will be hard for me to really be fearless but I will try my hardest. ~Brooks Farley

I think Lindy is right about not being afraid or embarrassed. Everyone has to slam their poem, so it is not like you are going to be the only one getting into it. Also, if you think it is weird to be "deep" and to act it out, it is weirder if you just stand up in front of the crowd and not act it out at all. Nerves are a natural part of this process, but don't psych yourself out. Overall, just have fun! This is the last poetry slam for us, so make it count!

~Isabelle T.

I think Isabelle is right, I think that if you think of it like your not alone then it is a lot easier to go up in front of the crowd. Plus no one is going to judge you on your feelings, if anything people will sympathize or empathize with what you are saying so do not be afraid of what people think because you are telling them your veiw of the world and if they see it differently then it is fine.

~Caroline Berger

Tip: Being girls, we talk FAST. Slow down, breathe, and really put attitude/feeling into it. That's what makes a great poem! It's called a poetry SLAM! Don't be afraid to really slam it!

~Sme

http://www.youtube.com/user/PoetrySlamVancouver I think that this page has TONS of great slam poems! The people who perform these poems really put good energy into them. They aren't nervous or scared to perform them so they appear so comfortable on stage, which is a great trait in a poet! Check out this page for some interesting, fun poetry! - Jessica

Tip: To slam a poem, you should get into it. It is so much more fun for the audience to watch someone who gets into their poem and really slams it, rather than someone who just stands on stage all nervous and not moving, just reading their poem. Also, you shouldn't be embarrassed, because everyone has to do it. You won't be judged for getting into it, because everyone else is as well.

--Allie G

Tip: When slamming a poem dont think. Yes you should think about your poem but just your poem and how you ca make it come alive. It might seem embarassing to get very into your poem but the more into it you get the more the crowd enjoys it! Also, don't get nervous because everyone has to slam so try to make yours the best! -Sandy

Tips for Slamming Poems -Try not to think about doing it before you fo it, just go up and slam it - Practice a lot before so that yu are prepared - DO NOT TALK FAST - Have fun! -Bella Marshall

Tips for slamming a poem: 1. know your poem and talk with confidence 2. Don't feel embarrassed or nervous 3. Emphasize words 4. Enjoy it! Lexi A

I agree with everyone else. This is great advice. Don't be scared to go up and put your heart into it. These are great tips to have so you are not stressed out about it. ~Sydney F

Lucia Benabib TIP FOR A POEM: - put an emotion on it here is a link of a poem []

Tips for slamming your poem: 1. Memorize your poem because if you have it memorized then you will be able to connect with the audience more through hand gestures and eye contact. 2. Show the emotions of you poem. If it is a happy poem act happy and if it is a sad poem then be sad. 3. Practice you poem over and over again until can perform it naturally. 4. HAVE FUN!!! Poetry slams are supposed to be fun so don't go into it feeling scarred go into it with a positive attitude. -Sydney Boldin

To slam a poem well! -Michaela May
 * You have to choose a good emotional topic
 * When you slam you have to really throw the emotion that you feel for that topic into the words and express the feelings.
 * You have to stay focused and try not to think of anything but that emotion
 * You shouldn't focus on any particular person or thing in the audience, you tend to fumble over your words
 * Don't talk to fast or too slow
 * Stay out of monotonous tones. xD
 * Have fun! :3

Here are a couple of videos of poets and students slamming their poems that I though were done really well. I hope that thes give you the inspiration you need to slam your poem!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8wybigZq2c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8ZzzN3EZfQ&feature=related

I hope these are helpful! Cece Witherspoon

When you slam a poem, you have to put emotion into it. so be sure that your poems is something that you can really slam. When you get ready to perform your poem, just know that they more emotion you put into it, the better the presentation will be!

~Sophie B

This website is helpful in the slam poetry process: [] -Allie D.