Poetry slam

A poetry slam is a competitive art event in which poets perform spoken word poetry before a live audience and a panel of judges. While formats can vary, slams are often loud and lively, with audience participation, cheering and dramatic delivery.^{[citation needed]}

Poetry slams began in Chicago in the 1980s,^[1] with the first slam competition designed to move poetry recitals from academia to a popular audience. American poet Marc Smith, believing the poetry scene at the time was "too structured and stuffy", began experimenting by attending open-microphone poetry readings, and then turning them into slams by introducing the element of competition.^[2]

The performances at a poetry slam are judged as much on enthusiasm and style as content, and poets may compete as individuals or in teams. The judging is often handled by a panel of judges, typically five, who are usually selected from the audience. Sometimes the poets are judged by audience response.^[3]

^ Alonso Castro, Laura María (2019). Slam Poetry vs. Racism: Awakening Awareness and Social Change in FreeQuency's "Dear White People" and "The Gospel of Colonization" (BA thesis). University of Zaragoza. p. 1.
^ "History of Slam Poetry – Spoken Word Poetry | Power Poetry". www.powerpoetry.org. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
^ aapone (2014-02-04). "A Brief Guide to Slam Poetry". A Brief Guide to Slam Poetry. Retrieved 2017-07-17.

[1] Alonso Castro, Laura María (2019). Slam Poetry vs. Racism: Awakening Awareness and Social Change in FreeQuency's "Dear White People" and "The Gospel of Colonization" (BA thesis). University of Zaragoza. p. 1.

[2] "History of Slam Poetry – Spoken Word Poetry | Power Poetry". www.powerpoetry.org. Retrieved 2017-06-19.

[guide-3] (2014-02-04). "A Brief Guide to Slam Poetry". A Brief Guide to Slam Poetry. Retrieved 2017-07-17.

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