Slam Essentials Anchor Chart Slam Essentials
The Art of the Spoken Word
What is Slam?
• Poetry designed for performance, not just the page.
• Born in the 1980s in Chicago (Marc Smith).
• It's about democratic art—the audience is the judge!
• Focuses on "The Truth"—your personal experience.
The Purpose
• Give a voice to the voiceless.
• Spark social change & activism.
• Build community through shared stories.
• Transform pain or joy into art.
Performance Toolkit
Voice
Volume, Pace, Tone, and Emphasis. Use silence as much as sound.
Body
Posture, gestures, and facial expressions. Your body is an instrument.
Presence
Eye contact and confidence. Own the stage before you speak.
Writing for the Ear
Rhythm & Repetition:
Hooks the audience and emphasizes key points. Make them remember the phrase.
The "Snap" Moment:
A sudden shift in tone, a surprise ending, or a powerful realization.
Concrete Imagery:
Don't just say you're sad; show us the "cracked tile on the bathroom floor."
Internal Rhyme:
Rhyme inside the lines to keep the flow moving like a river.
"The points are not the point. The point is the poetry." — Marc Smith
Slam Masterclass Worksheet Legibility Revised Slam Masterclass Worksheet
From Page to Stage
Name:
Date:
Part 1: The Roots
Why was slam poetry created in Chicago? Based on the anchor chart, what is its primary "democratic" goal?
What does it mean to "give a voice to the voiceless"? Who might need a voice in your community or school?
Part 2: The Spark
Choose one prompt to ignite your draft. Circle your choice.
"The place where I finally felt like I belonged was..."
"If I could scream one thing at the world and make them listen, it would be..."
"Ten years from now, I want my younger self to know..."
"Don't tell me I'm too young to understand how it feels to..."
Word Cloud / Brainstorming Space (Images, feelings, key phrases)
Part 3: Drafting
REMEMBER: SHOW, DON'T TELL
Technique Focus: Concrete Imagery
Instead of saying "I was angry," what did your hands do? What did the room look like? Write one powerful image here:
Main Verse Draft
Part 4: The Delivery
Slam is performance. Annotate your poem above using these symbols, then summarize your plan below:
/
Short Pause
//
Long Pause
Increase Volume
Slower Pace
My Performance Strategy:
Part 5: Feedback Circle
Reviewer:
1. The Hook (What image stayed in your head?)
2. Delivery (Voice, Pace, Body Language)
3. One "Growth" Suggestion
Encouraging
Specific
Honest
Slam Showdown Slides Slam Showdown
The Power of the Spoken Word
The Origin Chicago, 1984
Created by Marc Smith at the Get Me High Lounge.
Designed to make poetry democratic and engaging.
The audience are the judges! (Scores from 0 to 10).
"The points are not the point. The point is the poetry."
Writing for the Ear
Concrete Imagery
Don't say you're "happy." Show us the wide-tooth grin and the skipping pulse in your wrist.
Rhythm & Flow
Use repetition like a heartbeat. Use internal rhyme to keep the listener hooked on every word.
Your Body is an Instrument
Volume
A whisper can be louder than a shout if used correctly.
Pacing
Silence is a sound. Pause for breath and impact.
Gestures
Every movement should have a purpose. Paint the air.
The Snap Circle
How we show respect:
1
Listen with your whole body.
2
Snap for lines that hit home.
3
Feedback: Be specific, be kind.
Slam Facilitator Guide Facilitator Guide
Slam Poetry Showdown
Lesson Overview
This lesson transforms the classroom into a performance venue. Students will explore the history of slam as a "democratic art form," draft original verses using concrete imagery, and perform for their peers using specific vocal and physical techniques.
Duration 90-120 Minutes
Group Size Whole Class / Small Groups
Focus Voice & Activism
Step-by-Step Facilitation
1
Hook & History (15 min)
Use the Slam Showdown Slides to introduce Marc Smith and the 1980s Chicago scene. Emphasize that in a slam, the "audience is the judge." Ask: "Why would poets want random people in a bar to judge them instead of professional critics?"
2
The Spark (20 min)
Students use the Slam Masterclass Worksheet to pick a prompt. Encourage "free-writing" for 5 minutes without lifting the pen. If they get stuck, tell them to write "I don't know what to say" until a new thought arrives.
3
Drafting & Imagery (30 min)
Focus on "Show, Don't Tell." Walk around and look for abstract words like "love," "hate," or "fear." Challenge students to replace those with physical objects (a rusted key, a cold radiator, a torn bus ticket).
4
Performance Prep (15 min)
Teach the performance notation (/, //, volume up/down). Have students stand up and "mumble" their poems to themselves to find the natural rhythm and where they need to breathe.
5
The Snap Circle (30 min)
Arrange chairs in a circle. Establish the "Snap Rule": finger snaps replace clapping during the performance to avoid drowning out the words. Use the worksheet for peer feedback.
Expert Facilitator Tips
Psychological Safety
Slam poetry can get personal. Set clear boundaries: no hate speech, and "what is said in the circle stays in the circle." If a student gets emotional during a performance, the group should maintain a supportive "snap" silence until they are ready to continue.
The "Judging" Paradox
In real slams, random audience members hold up scorecards (0-10). If you use scores, remind students that "the points are not the point." Scores are a gimmick to keep the audience focused, not a measure of the poet's worth.
Discussion Prompts
Phase Question to Ask History How does slam poetry challenge the idea of "high art" or "museum poetry"?
Slam Showdown Rubric Slam Showdown Rubric
Performance & Writing Evaluation
Name:
Total:
/ 20
The Standard
Slam is about truth and impact. This rubric evaluates your ability to craft a message through concrete imagery and deliver it with purposeful performance techniques. Remember: the points are just a tool for growth!
Category Master (5) Skilled (4) Developing (3) Emerging (1-2) Writing & Imagery
| Uses vivid, concrete images (show, don't tell) that create a lasting mental picture. | Strong imagery is present; most descriptions are concrete and specific. | Some specific images, but relies on some abstract "telling" (e.g., "I was sad"). | Content is mostly abstract or lacks sensory details. |
|
Voice & Pacing
| Exceptional use of volume, tone, and pauses (silence) to emphasize meaning. | Effective pacing and volume. Pauses are used for impact at times. | Audible and clear, but lacks dynamic shifts in volume or tone. | Rushed delivery or consistently too quiet. No variation in pace. |
|
Presence & Body
| Strong eye contact and purposeful gestures. Commands the space. | Good eye contact and some movement. Appears comfortable on stage. | Limited eye contact or gestures. Stance is somewhat stiff. | Avoids eye contact. Excessive fidgeting or looking at the floor. |
|
Community Spirit
| Actively listens, snaps for peers, and provides specific, kind feedback. | Attentive listener. Participates in snapping and gives general feedback. | Quietly listens but does not actively engage in snapping or feedback. | Distracted during others' performances or gives non-constructive feedback. |
Instructor Notes
Strengths & Areas for Growth
"Speak your truth even if your voice shakes." — Maggie Kuhn
