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American Literature
Word.
SPOKEN WORD POEM ASSIGNMENT
Spoken word poetry is a growing form of literature used to address social problems
through the performance of rhythmic language. It incorporates both emotional appeals
and logical reasoning to persuade the audience of its message.
As a class we’ve looked at Carlos Andrés Gómez’s spoken word poem, “Juan
Valdez.” While Gomez begins his poem by recounting an incident from his own life in
which someone misjudged him based on his physical appearance, he uses that incident as a
platform to talk more generally about the injustice of judging someone based on their race
and ethnicity.
For your next major assignment, you will write your own spoken word poem about a
time when someone misjudged you—either because of your physical appearance, your
race or ethnicity, or some other superficial aspect such as where you live.
Your poem should be at least 15 lines and should consider the way the words sound
(rhythm, alliteration, etc.)—remember that this is a spoken word poem; it is meant to be
heard, not read.
A quick word about appropriateness:
While we want these poems to be passionate, honest, and personal, we do not want
to be hurtful. You may not include a personal attack on another individual or group; no
shots at a peer you don’t like. You may criticize a social problem or injustice without
naming names.
Also, many spoken word poems out there today tend towards the vulgar and the
profane. If you choose to use any profanity in your poem, make sure you can defend it as a
necessary word choice.
This should be a ton of fun. I look forward to seeing what you all come up with!
DRAFT DUE:
FINAL DUE:
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American Literature
RUBRIC
Your poem will be assessed based on the following criteria:
_____ Depth and insight (worth 35%)
 Does your poem engage extensively with a particular instance of prejudice?
 Does your poem shift from that particular incident to an in-depth exploration of
larger topics and themes?
_____ Language use (worth 30%)
 Do you use concise, vivid, and creative language?
 Do your word choices reflect both meaning and aesthetic sound?
_____ Evidence of revision (worth 20%)
 Do you show significant changes to your first draft which reflect careful rethinking of
the structure or focus of your poem?
_____ Mechanics and editing (worth 15%)
 Do you follow spelling and grammar rules?
 Are your words capable of being fully understood?
Each criterion will be graded as follows:
A – if the answer to the question(s) is “always.”
B – if the answer to the question(s) is “mostly.”
C – if the answer to the question(s) is “sometimes.”
D – if the answer to the question(s) is “rarely.”
F – if the answer to the question(s) is “never.”
YOUR TOTAL GRADE: ______
COMMENTS:
Gallin/Fisco
American Literature
BRAINSTORMING WORKSHEET
Gómez’s poem starts off by recounting an incident from his real life, in which an audience
member presumed he invented a Hispanic stage name for himself because he had blue
eyes. He then moves from that incident to other stereotypes of Latino Americans, such as a
Mexican wearing a sombrero, and debunks those myths with examples of real people he
knows who defy those stereotypes.
Now it’s your turn to tell your own story of being misjudged based on a stereotype, to
debunk that stereotype and others. Brainstorm your ideas in the spaces provided below.
1. Your Incident:
a. Think of a time when someone misjudged you—either because of your physical
appearance, your race or ethnicity, or some other superficial aspect such as
where you live. Write what happened, in detail, here:
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American Literature
b. What stereotype did that person rely on? What is the reality they ignored?
STEREOTYPE
THE REAL YOU
2. Related Stereotypes: What are some other stereotypes that you can connect to your
incident?
STEREOTYPES
1.
REAL-LIFE PEOPLE WHO DEFY THOSE
STEREOTYPES
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
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American Literature
3. Images and References: Poems are unique in that they allow you to say a lot with just a
few words. Each name you mention, each image you conjure in your audience’s minds, tells
a story. As a poet, it is your job to choose those images and references which will tell the
story you want to convey to your audience.
a. What images might you use in your poem?
b. What names, places, or other references might you mention in your poem?
Gallin/Fisco
American Literature
PRE-WRITING WORKSHEET
Before you start drafting your poem, sketch out its beginning, middle, and end.
“The Hook”: How will you grab the audience’s attention? What might your first
few lines be?
“The Thread”: What common theme will tie the different stereotypes together?
What catchphrase will you repeat throughout the poem? (For example, Gómez
uses the word “Latino” or “Latina” several times throughout his poem.)
“The Button”: How will you wrap up all the ideas in your poem? What might
your last few lines be?