poetry slam
Spoken-word performance contest
A poetry slam is a competitive event where poets perform original work and are judged by audience members or selected panels, typically on criteria like content, delivery, and emotional impact.
Unlike traditional poetry readings, slams emphasize performance and audience engagement, often featuring dramatic delivery, humor, or social commentary.
The format emerged in Chicago in the 1980s and has since spread to venues worldwide.
She won the regional poetry slam with a piece about her grandmother.
- open mic nightPublic amateur performance event
- spoken wordPoetry delivered aloud
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- coffee houseEstablishment serving hot beverages
- drop the micDramatic performance-ending gesture
personal narrative · recitation · oral tradition · competition · scoring system · judges · three minutes · vulnerability · raw emotion · dramatic monologue · stage presence · cadence · declamation · audience engagement · intensity · rhythm · emotion · voice
- poetry readingsopen mic, spoken word, recitation, dramatic reading
- book eventsbook signing, author visits, book launch, author visit, author reading
- creative opportunitiesart contest, film festival, talent show, audition, gallery show
- live entertainmentballet, Broadway, live show, concert, circus
- outdoor eventsblock party, concerts, garden party, festivals, parade
- performance skillsmagic, illusions, sleight of hand, juggling, mime
poetry slamsilent reading
Absorbing text without vocalizing
chapbook · poetry anthology · lyric poetry · poetry collection
poetry slamopen mic
Unscreened public performance slot
poetry reading · poetry circle · poetry recital · poetry workshop
slam, poet, verse, poetry, poetic, slammed, sonnet, slamming, poets