spoken word
Poetry performed aloud
Spoken word refers to poetry or literary work performed aloud, emphasizing vocal delivery, rhythm, and emotional expression over the written form.
The term usually describes a specific performance tradition that emerged from poetry slams and open mic nights: She's been doing spoken word at local cafes for years.
Unlike conventional poetry readings, spoken word performances often incorporate elements of storytelling, hip-hop, and theater.
Clear vocal expression
- dictionChoice of words
- enunciationClarity of spoken words
- pronunciationManner of speaking words
- elocutionFormal speaking skill
voice · inflection · intonation · accent · dialect · cadence · pacing · breath control
Metered poetic passage
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- imageryVivid descriptive language
- simileComparison via "as"
- alliterationMatching initial consonants
rhyme · meter · repetition · refrain · stanza · wordplay · assonance · consonance
Forceful impact or closure
- recitationOral delivery from memory
- microphoneAudio input device
- stageRaised performance platform
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
delivery · open mic · projection · presence · spotlight · venue · emcee · competition
Account of events
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
- anecdoteBrief account of incident
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- memoirWritten personal recollection
persona · character · dialogue · arc · climax · scene · vignette · confessional
Intense emotional drive
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
- catharsisPurification through emotional expression
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
resonance · intensity · sincerity · rawness · honesty · conviction · heartfelt · soulful
Direct effort for reform
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- justiceFair treatment under law
- identityWho someone is
community · empowerment · consciousness · solidarity · voice · platform · movement · message
articulation
Clear vocal expression
- dictionChoice of words
- enunciationClarity of spoken words
- pronunciationManner of speaking words
elocution · voice · inflection · intonation · accent · dialect · cadence · pacing · breath control · modulation
verse
Metered poetic passage
alliteration · rhyme · meter · repetition · refrain · stanza · wordplay · assonance · consonance · couplet
slam
Forceful impact or closure
- recitationOral delivery from memory
- microphoneAudio input device
- stageRaised performance platform
audience · delivery · open mic · projection · presence · spotlight · venue · emcee · competition · round
narrative
Account of events
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
- anecdoteBrief account of incident
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
memoir · persona · character · dialogue · arc · climax · scene · vignette · confessional · chronicle
passion
Intense emotional drive
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
- catharsisPurification through emotional expression
expression · resonance · intensity · sincerity · rawness · honesty · conviction · heartfelt · soulful · empathy
activism
Direct effort for reform
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- justiceFair treatment under law
identity · community · empowerment · consciousness · solidarity · voice · platform · movement · message · witness
- languagelanguage, words, grammar, spelling, alphabet
- spoken wordslam poetry, slam poets, poetry slam, performance poetry, recitation
- monologuessoliloquy, dramatic monologue, interior monologue, character voice, recitation
- poetry typeshaiku, sonnet, limerick, ballad, ode
- freestyle poetryslam poetry, poetry slam, open mic poetry, beat poetry, poetry jam
- art formspainting, drawing, sculpture, photography, music
spoken wordwritten word
Language in visible form
silent reading · prose · literary fiction · literature · sign language
spoken wordsign language
Visual-gestural communication system
written communication · text message · written correspondence · silence · body language
word, speak, speech, speaker, spoken, speaking, speaks, outspoken, speakers