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Repetition, Imagery, Analogies, Rhyme, Alliteration, etc. Whatever you choose as the style for your slam poem, I suggest going back to this step later to try your finished piece in other tones and with different types of delivery.įinally, style should include the poetic devices you want to use. So think about it – do you want to go free-form? Sound like a rapper? A monologue? A written letter? It can work…at times… it can also be a massive fail. There are a lot of slam poets out there who try very hard to sound like the next poet.
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Your style and flow should be unique to you.
#Spoken word writer outline movie#
I once saw a YouTube video that used a trailer for “The Shining” and mixed it with the typical “white picket fence” type of movie intro – hysterical! And creative (aren't slam poets creative?) For example, talk about a totally tragic event but in a happy light. Or, if you really want to go out on a limb, you can be sarcastic. Try to pick a style that aligns with your tone to create a truly unique experience. When you think about the style you’re going to use, keep in mind the story at hand. If you need some topic ideas for your piece, check out my blog for some goodies!Īfter you've established your storyline, figure out what type of flow you want your slam poem to take on. Keep in mind that this initial step shouldn't be complex. Keep track of anything you might decide not to use in this poem so you have some creative ideas for later user (you don't need to elaborate on them just yet, but it’s good to have an ace up your sleeve when you realize you love writing slam poetry!). Did you taste something, see something, hear something? The more you can incorporate sensory information into your piece, the more your audience will be able to relive it. "As I fell to the floor the carpet was sandpaper."). Now reach beyond that for details: Were there particular scents in the air? Did you touch something that you remember (e.g. Think about all the emotions that surrounded it. Once you have that story, you can start jotting down examples, lines and ideas to support your story. Once you have that moment, you can write everything that surrounded it - this is the start of your story. Think of a moment that touched you, moved you, changed you.something that left an everlasting impression. What you'll want to do is think about moments. Just like you would sharpen an ax before chopping down a tree, you want to establish the main story and the feelings or message you wish to convey to your audience before you start writing the lines (and chasing rhymes.I've seen a lot of poets try to rhyme before they have their story. Outline your main story, your feelings and your messageīefore you start diving into any elements or the framework of your first slam poem, you need to get your story and ideas straight.
#Spoken word writer outline how to#
When we're done you'll know exactly how to create a sexy slam poem that releases your passions, your beasts, your secrets – and your talents!! Ready? Let's dive in.ġ. Keep reading on, and we'll walk through how to create a good outline to get you started. With the right passion and some ideas at your disposal, you could easily create an engaging slam poem - all without feeling like it’s homework! Well, there's good news: Writing your own slam poetry doesn't have to be a horrifying experience you can be a captivating creator too! It's daunting enough to be forced into taking Lit or Poetry courses throughout school – never mind if your teacher or professor has asked the class to actually write and perform (GASP!) your work for the class! When you first hear an artist performing spoken word, you're overcome with an extraordinary sense of cultural fusion, killing any inkling of mundane, ambiguous and downright awful views you may have previously established about poetry as a genre. Please raise your hand if you've ever heard someone perform slam poetry, were blown away by it, and then asked yourself “How can I do that? How do I write a slam poem that rocks?"
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