An Introduction to Slam Poetry by Chris Peck

Spoken word poetry, or slam poetry has many forms. When I was first introduced to slam, I was blown away at the ability the authors had to convey their message. It wasn't simply stating a fact, or an experience, it was an artistic outlet, providing powerful means for others (their audience) to experience what they had experienced. While I have been reading and writing poetry since I was a young boy, I had never been moved by poems like OCD, Shake the Dust, or God In Code (Hilborn, Mojgani, Cook respectively). Hearing these poets for the first time helped inspire me to write differently, about issues and topics that I felt strongly about. However, the road to discovering my voice was a long one; at first, mimicking what I heard and saw before finding how I could share my poetry.

            While I mostly want to provide some major tips to help you with writing and performing slam poetry, I want first to express the importance of finding your voice. This will be a long road for many, with a lot of trial and error in writing and performing, but it is an important part of the process. When I first started writing slams, I mimicked authors like Neil Hilborn, Andrea Gibson, Javon Johnson, and Sam Cook. They spoke with thunder in their mouths, yelling into the mic, speaking about real-world issues like suicide, racism, rape, disorders, equality, and many more. I wrote about these issues, trying my best to get the words onto the page but often times failing to convey anything meaningful in my poems. I became discouraged, thinking that I simply was not a slam poet and should stick with my contemporary, free-verse writing. It wasn't until I came across the spoken word poet, Anis Mojgani, that I discovered what I would, or could say. He spoke of childhood, of empathy, and provided an optimistic and yet existential view of life. Soon after listening to his poem For Those Who Can Still Ride in an Airplane For the First Time, I wrote my own poem Ghosts, and then When I Go, and Apple Juice. Each, showcasing my own voice. I had confidence in these poems and began sharing them.

            When you start writing and performing you will likely become discouraged; you may even want to quit, as I did. That's just the reality that comes with creating. It will take time. However, with a lot of practice and trial and error you will find what you want to talk about, what comes from your memories, heart, and experience. Slam poetry is a beautiful method of sharing with of yourself, as the poet Anis Mojgani says, in his poem Shake the Dust, “Every time I write, every time I open my eyes, I'm cutting out parts of myself just to give them to you.”

            And so, in order to better help you share your poetry I have several tips that I feel will help you get started in writing and performing your poems.

1. MAKING LISTS

One of the most effective ways I've found to get the juices flowing is to write themed lists. Lists that help you think about specific topics, or give breadth to things you are considering writing about.

2. WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW, OR NOT.

When you first start writing, write about things you are familiar with. Once you've gotten use to that, and have found your writing (and performing) style, start asking questions, and write about what you'd like to know.

3. EXPERIENCE

Poetry should relate to others. When you share it you want them to feel what you feel. This cannot be done (or at least is significantly harder) when you are writing about something that you are not familiar with. Focus on writing from experience; even if your poem is ultimately asking a question.

5. PERFORMANCE IS AN EDITING TOOL.

You learn things about your writing when you perform it. Don't think twice about going back and revising a section of your poem (or the entire poem!) based on the reactions (or lack of reactions) you get from a live audience.

6. DON'T FORCE YOUR EMOTIONS.

Most poetry invites the poet and the audience to feel different emotions. Don't force them or act them out. Let the words do their own work. Present those emotions naturally.

7. BE AN EXPERT ON THE MICROPHONE.

Know how to adjust the mic stand in case you need to. Know where the mic should be and how close you should be to it. Remember you have at least 15 seconds to get ready before people will begin to wonder why you haven't started.

8. CLARITY ABOVE ALL ELSE.

If the messenger is not clear, then there really isn't any message, is there? You could be the most brilliant poet in the world, but if no one understand you, they won't listen. Try over-enunciating, exaggerating the shape of your mouth with each word. You will not sound as stupid as you think you look.

9. EVERYONE WANTS YOU TO BE AMAZING!

Despite what you might think, the audience is not waiting for you to mess up. Nor are they hoping you do so. They want you to blow them away with your words. So do them a favor and do it.

10. HAVE AN INTERESTING VOICE.

Or if you don't, at least use a fuller range of your voice than you would in a normal conversation. Get deeper in places and higher in others. Sing! I mean it! Include lines from songs in your poems and sing them, especially if you don't think you have a very good voice. The audience will love and admire you for having such guts.

11. INSTRUCT OR ENTERTAIN OR (IF POSSIBLE) DO BOTH!

Poets (like teachers) are part entertainers. Their poems should delight as will as inform. Put a little humor in most poems (even the sad ones).

12. HAVE A FEW LINES THAT EVERYONE WILL UNDERSTAND.

If you write “non-linear” poems (more lyrical, imagistic poems that don't necessarily tell a story), be sure to have a few places where the audience can “rest” and think, “I understood that.” If you don't, they will stop listening to you.

13. NEVER SAY, “I JUST WROTE THIS POEM TODAY.”

Because it means you either want the audience to be easy on you (because you're afraid your poem is bad) or be impressed by you (because you think it's good). Better to just shut up and recite the poem.

14. GO BACK TO THE NUGGET OF TRUTH.

Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to make our poems sound like poetry that we don't let ourselves say simple, truthful, beautiful things that would help the poem immensely. Things like, “Sometimes I wished I were an only child.” Don't be afraid to leave the truth unadorned.

15. STAY STILL—OR HAVE A REASON FOR MOVING.

Movement is unusually the result of nervousness, and everyone can tell. Plant your feet and don't fidget. If you let your hands hang naturally at your sides, you will LOOK normal (even if you FEEL stupid).

16. NO ONE NEEDS TO KNOW IF YOU FORGET A LINE.

If your mind goes blank, take a pause. Don't let the audience know you have no idea what comes next. Start singing “Amazing Grace.” Make up the rest of the poem as best you can. No one cares that it's not perfect (except you).

17. TRY TO SIGNAL THAT YOU POEM IS OVER.

You know you have performed a poem well if the audience knows when it is time to start clapping simply because you start smiling. Don't be afraid to end with a moment of expectant silence. When they start to clap, stay there for a moment and collect the applause before walking away.