The document discusses slam poetry, which is a competitive style of performance poetry where poets perform their original works for an audience who then scores the poems. It began in 1984 as a way to make poetry more accessible and interesting to broader audiences. While some critics say it diminishes the art form, proponents argue it has introduced poetry to new readers and challenged conventions. The document considers whether incorporating slam poetry could engage students and teach poetry more effectively in the classroom.

1. Pat
The performance of poetry expresses emotion and many times is
used as a method to passionately prove a point; however, it bears
multiple critics especially in its relation to academia.
Derick
Kaylee
James
Lamod
Anne

2. What Teachers Make by Taylor Mali

3. “a form of performance poetry that occurs within a
competitive poetry event, called a ‘slam’, at which poets
perform their own poems (or, in rare cases, those of others)
that are ‘judged’ on a numeric scale by randomly picked
members of the audience.”
Invented by Marc Smith in Chicago in 1984

4. • Miranda Whiteford
Q: What is slam poetry?
A: I don’t really know.
(Interviewer explains what slam poetry is)
Q: Do you believe that the use of slam poetry in the classroom would be a good way to teach students about
poetry in the classroom?
A: Yes, because it will keep their attention better and allow them not to get bored like normal poetry does.
• Joe Feeney
Q: What is slam poetry?
A: Emotional, strong, and passionate poetry.
(Interviewer explains more thoroughly what slam poetry is)
Q: Do you believe slam poetry is a more effective way to express yourself than normal written poetry?
A: Hell yes! You can get a lot more in performance than just words on a page. You can show your tone, your
emotion, your arm motions, and stuff like that.
• Aaron Rybak
Q: What is slam poetry ?
A: I have no idea.
(Interviewer explains what slam poetry is)
Q: Do you believe the use of humor in poetry is an effective way to please the audience at a slam poetry
event?
A: Yes, laughing makes you more involved and interested in the poem. You automatically like it if your
laughing.

5. Critics
• Quality of performance wins, not quality of poem
• Judged on subject, not content
• “Death to art”
Counter Argument
• Several Slam poets have gone onto publish popular
books
• Challenges the authority of those that believe they
have the power to judge literary quality

6. Saul Williams
Mos Def

7. Relation to Schooling
Help Learn
Not Boring
Rap/ Hip Hop
 Similies
Alliteration
 Rhyming

8. • Expressing emotions vocally
• Deal with internal conflicts

9. • Marc Smith founded slam
to challenge conventional
poetry
• Wanted to make poetry
available/ intriguing to all,
not just scholars
• Attracted younger
audience and brought
interest to a broader crowd Marc Smith

10. She’s All My Dream
by
Lamod Jefferson collaboration Derick Abbey

11. Works Cited
Aptowicz, Cristin O’Keefe. “Funny Poetry Gets Slammed: Humor as Strategy in the Poetry
Movement.” International Journal of Humor Reserch 22.3 (2009): 381-393. Academic
Search Complete. Print. 20 Oct. 2010.
Kinchen, David M. “A Poem A Day: Day 21: Wanda Why Aren’t You Dead by Wanda
Coleman. Huntington News. Huntington News, 21, Apr. 2006. Web. 10 October 2010.
Rohter, Larry. “Is Slam Poetry in Danger of Going Soft?” New York Times. 3 June 2009: C1.
Web.
“Slam Poetry.” Language is a Virus. MutiMedia, Print. 20 Oct. 2010