History of Slam Poetry
When it comes to slam poetry, the history goes back to the 1980s, when a group of poets at an influential club called the Nuyorican Poets Cafe began turning their performance poetry into a competitive event. This groups work helped to popularize the performance poetry as an art form. Before long, slam poetry performances began to take place throughout the U.S., Canada, and other countries around the world. In 1990, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe hosted the first ever slam poetry competition. As of 2021, slam events occur in cities across the globe and are attended by professionals and amateurs alike.
Benefits of Learning About Slam Poetry
Learning about slam poetry can be a great way to gain confidence in one’s writing and performing skills. By learning about the rules and format of slam poetry, writers can figure out what works best for them in terms of performance and writing style. This can lead to a stronger creative identity and a better performance, especially when competing in a slam. Furthermore, learning about slam poetry can help writers become more familiar with the work of other poets and the styles they adopt. By studying different poets and their works, writers can be inspired and find fresh ideas for their own writing.
What a Writer Should Look For
When learning about slam poetry, a writer should start by familiarising themselves with the basics. This means understanding how slam poetry differs from more traditional forms of performance and written poetry. In addition, it’s important to know that slam poetry is competitive and that there are certain ground rules. For example, each poem should have an emotional core, and should be performed with a feeling especially relating to rhythm and performance. Writers should also take time to familiarise themselves with the slam poetry scene, and the kinds of events and competitions that take place. This can give them an insight into the competition and the kinds of poems that judges look for.
Motivation and Feedback
Once a writer has established a basic understanding of slam poetry and the kind of skills that it requires, it’s important for them to continue to build on this knowledge. This is where motivation and feedback come into play. It’s important for writers to find opportunities to perform their work and to receive feedback. This can be done by attending open mic nights, joining poetry slams, or simply asking friends and family for honest assessments of their work. This feedback is invaluable, as it helps a writer to hone their craft, to measure their performance, and to ensure that they stay motivated.
Online Resources
An important part of learning about slam poetry is to read up online. There are plenty of great sites and blogs out there which can be a great source of information for writers. These sites can provide writers with useful advice on the structure of poems, performance tips, and other insights. Additionally, writers should look for sites which feature recordings of poems by other experienced slams. This allows the writer to get a better feel for the kind of performance which works well. Finally, writers should seek out forums and writing groups which allow them to get feedback on their own work. This will help writers to progress in their writing and in their performance skills.
Participating in Workshops and Classes
Aside from reading and listening to the work of others, participating in workshops and classes can provide writers with a great opportunity to learn about slam poetry in a hands-on manner. Most major cities will feature regular classes and workshops which are open to all writers. They provide writers with an opportunity to learn and to practice their skills in a non-competitive environment. Additionally, attending live slams gives writers the chance to get a real taste of the competitive atmosphere they can expect should they choose to compete.
Practicing and Applying What You’ve Learned
At the end of the day, the best way to learn about slam poetry is to put what you’ve learned into practice. This means writing, performing, and competing. It takes time and dedication to become good at slam poetry, and it’s very important for writers to remain devoted and consistent with their writing and performances. Additionally, it’s important to remember not to take things too seriously. Slam is a competitive art, but it should also be a fun and enjoyable experience.
Growing and Staying Connected
Finally, a great way for writers to learn about slam poetry is to grow and stay connected with the slam poetry community. This can be done by following slams on social media or by creating a presence within the slam community. By connecting with other poets, writers can get advice and collaborate with other poets, which can be a great source of inspiration. Additionally, by attending slams and other events, writers can gain an understanding of the culture and the rules of slam.
Using Automated Poetry Generators
The rise of technology has also given writers the opportunity to explore the world of automated poetry generatators. These are programs designed to create computer-generated poems which can be used as a starting point for writers to explore their own creativity. Whilst these programs don’t replace a poet’s own creativity, they can help writers develop their skills and experiment with forms and structures, as well as help them to stay inspired.
Developing a Unique Voice and Style
When it comes to developing a unique voice and style in slam, perseverance and determination are key. Many successful writers began by imitating their favorite poets and gradually moved away from imitation as they developed their own voice. Once a poet has found their unique voice and style, it is important for them to keep refining it. A great way to do this is by continuing to read and discovering new styles, forms and techniques from different poets.
Receiving Constructive Criticism and Support
Writing slam poetry is a creative journey and one that can be difficult to navigate alone. Therefore, it’s important for writers to find a supportive community. This can be found in forums, local poetry slams and competitions, or online. Writers should also welcome constructive criticism in order to learn and grow. Whilst it may be difficult to accept criticism at first, it is incredibly important to remain open to it if they want to improve their work.
