What Is Poetry Slam? | Pen Clique

Summary

In this video, Kua David introduces the concept of slam poetry, explaining its origins and modern structure. He highlights how slam poetry is a competitive spoken word art form, with poets judged by randomly selected judges in three rounds. While the competition adds drama and excitement, the true focus is on the poetry itself, with the mantra 'the points are not the point, the point is the poetry' resonating throughout. David encourages both performers and spectators to engage in the community-driven event, emphasizing the fun and creative growth that comes from participating.

Takeaways

• 😀 Slam poetry is a performance-based competition where poets are judged by a panel, often randomly selected, and the focus is on the poetry itself rather than the scores.
• 😀 The modern concept of slam poetry began in 1984 when Mark Kelly Smith and his colleagues in Chicago introduced a competitive element to their weekly poetry readings.
• 😀 Poetry slams have historical roots in various cultures, including the Vikings, ancient Philippines, and African tribes, but the competitive form we know today originated in the 1980s.
• 😀 The slam poetry competition usually consists of three rounds, with poets being judged on their performance out of 10 points. The top poets advance to subsequent rounds.
• 😀 Judges in a poetry slam are selected at random, which means that experienced poets and amateur judges could be in the same event, adding unpredictability to the results.
• 😀 The mantra 'The points are not the point, the point is the poetry' emphasizes that the quality of the poetry itself, not the score, is the most important aspect of the competition.
• 😀 Slam poetry competitions create drama, action, and community interaction, similar to acting, where the stakes and performance energize the audience.
• 😀 Even though judges are random, the competition aspect helps sharpen poets' skills, fosters community, and drives improvement in both writing and performance.
• 😀 It's important not to take early elimination personally, as judges are randomly chosen, and the competition is more about the experience than the outcome.
• 😀 Participating in slam poetry is an opportunity to connect with others, challenge your creativity, and enjoy the art of performance, whether you're competing or spectating.

Q & A

What is slam poetry?

Slam poetry is a spoken word poetry competition where poets perform their work in front of an audience and are judged by randomly selected judges.

How did slam poetry originate?

Slam poetry, as we know it today, was modernized in 1984 by Mark Kelly Smith and his colleagues in Chicago, who introduced the concept of competitive poetry readings.

What are the basic rules of a poetry slam competition?

Typically, there are three rounds in a poetry slam. Poets sign up to compete, and judges are randomly selected. In each round, poets are scored out of 10 points, with the highest-scoring poets advancing to the next round until a winner is determined.

How are the judges selected for a poetry slam?

Judges are selected at random, meaning they can range from amateurs with little knowledge of poetry to experienced poets and critics.

Why are the judges selected randomly in a poetry slam?

The randomness of the judges adds an element of unpredictability and fairness to the competition, ensuring that no one has an inherent advantage based on their judging background.

What is the mantra commonly said in poetry slams, and what does it mean?

The mantra is 'The points are not the point, the point is the poetry.' This means that while the competition involves scoring, the primary focus should be on the quality and impact of the poetry itself rather than the scores.

How does the competitive nature of slam poetry impact the performance?

The competition aspect adds drama and tension, which engages both the poets and the audience. It provides context for the performance, encouraging poets to elevate their delivery and creativity.

What should poets focus on during a slam poetry competition?

Poets should focus on both the content of their poetry and their performance. Strong writing, impactful delivery, and connection with the audience are key factors for success.

What does the phrase 'pen game' refer to in the context of slam poetry?

'Pen game' refers to a poet's ability to write strong, impactful, and skillful poetry. It's about having sharp writing skills that can engage an audience.

Why is it important to remember that 'the points are not the point' in a slam poetry competition?

This mantra encourages poets to prioritize their creative expression over the subjective nature of scoring. It reminds them that the ultimate goal is to share meaningful poetry, not just to win.