What is a Slam?
How do you organize one?
How is it beneficial?
Marvin DeBose, MLS
 Poetry -A verbal composition designed to convey
experiences, ideas, or emotions in a vivid and
imaginative way, characterized by the use of
language chosen for its sound and suggestive
power .
 Hip Hop -the popular subculture of urban
teenagers.
What is a Poetry Slam?
 Slam is a contest where poets recite their poems in
front of judges.
 The emphasis of the Slam is to get the poet to write
and perform original material.
Why Slams are good for Teens
 Poetry is a language that teenagers can use to
convey their thoughts about important matters in
their lives.
 Poetry Slams provide an acceptable outlet for their
expression
 Slams are designed to create an appreciation for
literary form.
History of Poetry Slams
•
Poetry Slams are a relatively new phenomenon in the
United States.
• They emerged out of a Chicago Jazz Club in the mid- 1980s.
Marc Kelly Smith started the concept of a Slam.
• Poetry Slam has made its way into mainstream America,
attracting diverse crowds and avid followers.
• A poetry slam, by definition, is a live competition in which
poets perform original poetry and are judged.
The focus of poetry slam is not the written word; rather, it
is a celebration of the art of oral interpretation.
Planning a Slam
 Find a Venue
 Prizes
 Donations
 Generate Interest
 Find judges
 Find an M.C./ Host
Running a Slam
 Have contestants arrive 30 minutes before start
time.
 They must have a picture I.D. to register.
 Each contestant will receive a name tag with a
number
 Each contestant has 3 minutes to recite their
poem.
 Each contestant will be awarded a score by the
judges ranging from 1-5 in five different categories
(Physical Presence, Articulation, Difficulty &
Understanding)
 The 2 top scorers will be invited back for the final
round.
 After the final round the winners are awarded
prizes. (With teenagers I usually give away 1st,2nd
and 3rd Prizes.)
Poetry Slam Score Sheet
Names of Poet:
Title of Poem:
Weak
Average
Good
Excellent
Outstanding
Physical
Presence
1
2
3
4
5
Articulation
1
2
3
4
5
Level of
Difficulty
1
2
3
4
5
Evidence of
Understand
1
2
3
4
5
Poetry
Slam
Total Score
Teen Poetry Slam Rules
 The poetry slam is solo event. The poem must be
the poet’s own work.
 Performers must from age 13‐18 years of age.
 PG-13
 All contestants must be present to receive a prize.
Some helpful hints 4 The Poets !
 Practice in front of an audience. Time the piece to 3
minutes. Be sure to project your voice.
 Smile, relax, and have fun.
 Give your Poem a name. Memorize your poem!
 Take the competition seriously .
Poetry in Urban Motion!
 Tupac Shakur -The Rose the grew from concrete
Shakur, T. (1999). The rose that grew from concrete. MTV
Books.
 Jill Scott – The Moments, the Minutes,the Hours: The
Poetry Of Jill Scott
Scott, J. (2008). The moments, the minutes, the hours: the
poetry of Jill Scott. (1st ed.). St. Martin's Griffin
 Alicia Keys – Tears for Water: Songbook of Poem and Lyrics
Keys, A. (2005). Tears for water: Songbook of poem and
lyrics.
Berkley Trade.
Web Resources
 Slampapi http://marckellysmith.com/
 Poetry Slam, Inc. http://www.poetryslam.com/ 13
 Youth Speaks . http://youthspeaks.org
 Slamnation http://www.slamnation.com
Resources
 Hewitt, G. (2005). Hewitt's guide to slam poetry & poetry slam.
Shoreham, Vt: Discover Writing Press.
 Smith, M. K., & Kraynak, J. (2009). Stage a poetry slam.
Sourcebooks MediaFusion.
 Sitomer, A., & Cirelli, M. (2004). Hip hop poetry and the classics.
Milk Mug Press.

Eleveld, M. (2003). The spoken word revolution. Naperville,IL:
Sourcebooks Media Fusion.
The Rose that Grew From Concrete
 Did you hear about that rose that grew from the crack
in the concrete?
Proving nature's law is wrong it learn to walk without
having feet.
Funny it sees, but by keeping it’s dream, it learned to
breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one
else ever cared.