Name:___________________
Date:_______
Slam: Performance Poetry
Lives on
&
Euphoria
1.)your
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adjective
Def: belonging to you
Ex.) Your boots are like mine.
Ex.) I need you to turn in your homework.
Ex.) I like your smile!
Your sentences:
1.)
• 2.)
• 3.)
2.)you’re
contraction
• Def: you are
• If you are having trouble remembering when to use you’re, replace the word
with “you are”. If it makes sense use the contraction “you’re”. If it doesn't, then
use “your”.
• Ex.) You’re in my art class.
• Ex.) I hope you’re going to work on your vocabulary sentences tonight.
• Your sentences:
• 1.)
• 2.)
• 3.)
3.)recitation
noun
• Def: speaking a poem or other text aloud in front of other people
• Context: “Zang’s recitation is a mix of rant, rhetoric, and stand-up comedy,
with dashes or hip-hop and rap.”
• Ex. 1.) Jermiah delivered a recitation of his newest poem in front of the class.
• 2.) Ms. Morse gave a recitation on the U.S. constitution during history class.
• Your sentences:
• 1.)
• 2.)
4.)expression
noun
• Def: a way to get thoughts or feelings across to another
person
• Context: “As the founders of the literary organization
Youth Speaks put it, slam is a form of expression.”
• Ex.) The art of expression is the ability to communicate in a
creative way.
• Ex.) Poetry is one form of creative expression.
• Ex.) Tupac’s rap music and poetry are his expressions about
what he has experienced in life.
• Your sentences:
• 1.)
• 2.)
5.) transcend (-s, -ing, -ed)
verb
• Def: to rise above or go beyond
• Context: “a generation reciting struggles and successes on
open microphones…transcending traditional stereotypes by
speaking their truths…”
• Ex.) Art is something that transcends the limits of language.
• Ex.) The love Romeo had for Juliet transcended the hatred
their families had for one another.
• Ex.) Hip-hop music is transcending urban cities and
reaching every corner of the world.
• Your sentences:
• 1.)
• 2.)
6.)structure
noun
• Def: the way something is set up
• Context: “The structure of the traditional slam is
spoken-word performance of three minutes plus a tensecond grace period”
• Ex.) My poem has a structure that includes verses and
rhyme.
• Ex.) The structure of your school day includes 6 periods
of classes, one break, and a 40 minute lunch.
• Your sentences:
• 1.)
• 2.)
7.)emphasis
noun
• Def: a special focus or importance
• Context: “The emphasis on performance soon led to
the energetic brand of poetry know as slam.”
• Ex.) Ms. Morse puts a lot of emphasis on how her
students’ behavior should reflect grace and beauty.
• Ex.) The emphasis on essay writing in class helps all
students get ready for the High School Exit Exam.
• Your sentences:
• 1.)
• 2.)
8.) compose (-s, -ed, -ing)
verb
• Def: to write a poem or song
• Context: “Composed around the eighth century B.C.E., this
epic poem was most likely the combination of several oral
stories about the journey of Odysseus.”
• Ex.) Ms. Morse ask her students to compose a poem about
overcoming adversity in their lives.
• Ex.) Darren is working on composing his first rap song.
• Your sentences:
• 1.)
• 2.)
9.) unique
adjective
• Def: special, unusual
• Context: “Like today’s slam artists, the Beats came
to be known for their unique performance styles.”
• Ex.) Lady Gaga has a unique fashion sense.
• Ex.) The house shaped like a guitar is unique.
• Ex.) Marie Antoinette had a variety of unique hair
styles.
• Your sentences:
• 1.)
• 2.)
10.)coordinate (-s, -ed, -ing)
verb
• Def: to organize, to be in charge of something
• Context: “He coordinates the Austin National Slams, of
Austin, Texas.”
• Ex.) Celia and Yaquelin were in charge of coordinating the
upcoming school dance.
• Ex.) Hunter and Rian volunteered to coordinate the
upcoming canned food drive for needy families in the
community.
• Your sentences:
• 1.)
• 2.0
11.)improvisation
noun
• Def: something done without pre-planning
• Context: “In a slam there’s always an element of improvisation.”
• Ex.) When I forgot to prepare a speech for class, improvisation
was my only option.
• Ex.) Rap war artists and participations that have to come up
with lyrics at a moments notice are great at improvisation.
• Ex.) Good stand-up comedians have to practice their
improvisation.
• Your sentences:
• 1.)
• 2.)
12.) phenomenon
noun
• Def: something extraordinary and impressive that
everyone gets excited about.
• Context: “The poetry slam is a rapidly growing
phenomenon…”
• Ex.) The new music video is a real phenomenon; people
everywhere are watching it.
• ex.) Many people think that Tupac is a rap phenomenon.
• ex.) The meteor shower was a phenomenon that had
everyone in awe of its beauty.
• Your sentences:
• 1.)
• 2.)
13.) there
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(adverb)
Def: that place or position
Ex.) The book is over there on the table.
Ex.) Jamie went to New York yesterday. She is there now.
Ex.) Ms. Morse likes to visit Boston. She once lived there.
Your sentences:
1.)
• 2.)
• 3.)
14.) their
(pronoun)
• Def: belonging to them
• 1.) Their beautiful house is on Bancroft Street.
• 2.) Someone left their book on the table and I’m going to
return it to them.
• 3.) Their dancing inspires me to take lessons, so I enrolled in
classes today.
• Your sentences:
• 1.)
• 2.)
15.) they’re
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contraction
Def: a contraction of “they are”
Ex.) They’re tired of writing essays, so they are going to take a break.
Ex.) They’re going to the mall to shop and have dinner.
Ex.) Edith and Luisa decided to put their differences aside; they’re going to best
of friends forever!
• Your sentences:
• 1.)
• 2.)
• 3.)