Name: ______Block:
Poetry Slam Poetry Unit Expectations
A poetry slam is a competition during which poets stand up in front of an audience, perform an original poem and receive "Olympics" style scores from a group of judges.
As participants in a Poetry Slam (3 before the end of the year), you will define, compose, practice, perform and/or judge poetry. Also, as a participant, you will...
*Practice and become familiar with writing poetry, using many forms.
*Demonstrate knowledge of poetic devices by recognizing them in their original poems.
*Improve your reading, spelling, vocabulary, and grammar skills.
*Use computers and the Internet to learn about poetry.
*Become more confident in group interactions and in your ability to write poetry.
*Become familiar with the origin, rules, judging, and techniques of poetry slams.
*Work cooperatively to organize, judge, and participate in each poetry slam.
I. Poetry Slam Role
Since not everyone will be required to perform, it's important for you to identify what your role will be. Notice the signs hanging in three corners of the room. The signs read: "listening", "analyzing", and "doing". Think about which one of these three words describe the way you relate to the world. Know your own heart and carefully chose. When you have decided, stand in the appropriate corner and read the small print beneath the label. Then, once you are sure you fit the description, take a card next to the sign, write your label on one side and your name and block on the other.
II. Composing Poetry
Everyone, whether a poetry slam performer or not, will write poetry as part of this unit. Weekly, you will be introduced to a variety of poems and poetic forms that will become the inspiration and basis of your own composition. You can expect to use some of the devices below in writing your poems.
III. Compiling a Poetry Portfolio
As part of this unit, you will compile a portfolio of poems you like, write, and research. Divide your portfolio into the sections below. Include a Table of Contents at the beginning of your portfolio. Make sure you keep all the copies of poems I give you, as well as the poems you write. These will make up the first two components of your portfolio. The remaining poems must come from your own research. I want you to immerse yourself in poetry. So, after I introduce you to a poet, research her or him to find another poem by her/him that “speaks to you”. In addition, compile poems that use the poetic forms introduced during this unit. Your portfolio, due June 12, must contain:
1) one copy of all the poems you write during this unit.
2) the copy of all the poems I give you, each actively read.
3) one additional poem for each poet we read.
4) at least one poem reflective of each poetic form we learn.
III. Judging the Poetry Slam – For each slam, there will 3-5 judges, depending on the class size. Each judge will base their scoring on one of the following criteria: 1) Voice Projection, 2) Performance, 3) Effect on Audience, 4) Poetic Format. A class session will be used for the poetry slams. Students will judge the poets numerically as Olympic ice skaters are judged. Performers will be judged from "0" to "10" in each category. These numbers will be placed on whiteboards. Another student will average these and keep an official scorecard. Also, each judge will receive a copy of the poems to score their format.
IV. Poetry Devices Upon which You Can Rely
Learning how to talk, interpret, write, and appreciate poetry may not always be easy. But becoming familiar with different poetry techniques, knowing how to recognize poetic devices, and learning to identify just the right form for your poem will make you a better poet.
Poetic Devices and Examples
Similes: figures of speech that compare two unlike things, using the words like or as. "His feet were as big as boats."
Alliteration: the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."
Metaphor: a figure of speech that compares two unlike things directly, without the use of like or as. "Her hair is silk."
Personification: assigning human qualities to non-human things. "The tropical storm slept for two days."
Onomatopoeia: words that imitate sounds. "Boom. Gurgle. Plink."
Hyperbole: an expression of exaggeration. "I nearly died laughing."
Symbolism: using an object to represent an idea. A symbol means what it is and also something more. Lions often symbolize royalty.
Puns: words with a humorous double meaning, a play on words. "A dog not only has a fur coat but also pants."
Idioms: expressions that have a meaning apart from the meanings of the individual words. "It's raining cats and dogs."
Foot: the time period into which the beat of the poetic line is divided. A foot is made up of several syllables, some long and some short.
Meter: refers to how the feet are put together to form lines of poetry. The combinations of long and short syllables give poetry a musical feel.
Rhythm: the pattern of long and short syllables in a poetic line. In modern poetry, some words receive greater vocal emphasis than others.
Lyrics: what poets write, the actual words used to form the framework of rhythm and meter.
Mood: the overall feeling the poem creates. Mood, or tone, for example, can be playful, sad, lonely, angry or joyful.
V. Grades - Grades will not be based on the final scores of the poetry slam. Grades will be based on effort, participation in slams, your passion for the poetry, and your poetry portfolio.