Articles about spoken word

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This article is about a performance art. For recordings of books or dialog, see Audiobook. For the 2009 film, see Spoken Word (film).

Spoken word refers to an oral poetic performance art that is based mainly on the poem as well as the performer’s aesthetic qualities. It is a late 20th century continuation of an ancient oral artistic tradition that focuses on the aesthetics of recitation and word play, such as the performer’s live intonation and voice inflection. Spoken word is a «catchall» term that includes any kind of poetry recited aloud, including poetry readings, poetry slams, jazz poetry, and hip hop music, and can include comedy routines and prose monologues.^[1] Unlike written poetry, the poetic text takes its quality less from the visual aesthetics on a page, but depends more on phonaesthetics, or the aesthetics of sound.

History[edit]

Spoken word has existed for many years; long before writing, through a cycle of practicing, listening and memorizing, each language drew on its resources of sound structure for aural patterns that made spoken poetry very different from ordinary discourse and easier to commit to memory.^[2] «There were poets long before there were printing presses, poetry is primarily oral utterance, to be said aloud, to be heard.»^[3]

Poetry, like music, appeals to the ear, an effect known as euphony or onomatopoeia, a device to represent a thing or action by a word that imitates sound.^[4] «Speak again, Speak like rain» was how Kikuyu, an East African people, described her verse to author Isak Dinesen,^[5] confirming a comment by T. S. Eliot that «poetry remains one person talking to another».^[6]

The oral tradition is one that is conveyed primarily by speech as opposed to writing,^[7] in predominantly oral cultures proverbs (also known as maxims) are convenient vehicles for conveying simple beliefs and cultural attitudes.^[8] «The hearing knowledge we bring to a line of poetry is a knowledge of a pattern of speech we have known since we were infants».^[9]

Performance poetry, which is kindred to performance art, is explicitly written to be performed aloud^[10] and consciously shuns the written form.^[11] «Form», as Donald Hall records «was never more than an extension of content.»^[12]
Performance poetry in Africa dates to prehistorical times with the creation of hunting poetry, while elegiac and panegyric court poetry were developed extensively throughout the history of the empires of the Nile, Niger and Volta river valleys.^[13] One of the best known griot epic poems was created for the founder of the Mali Empire, the Epic of Sundiata. In African culture, performance poetry is a part of theatrics, which was present in all aspects of pre-colonial African life^[14] and whose theatrical ceremonies had many different functions: political, educative, spiritual and entertainment. Poetics were an element of theatrical performances of local oral artists, linguists and historians, accompanied by local instruments of the people such as the kora, the xalam, the mbira and the djembe drum. Drumming for accompaniment is not to be confused with performances of the «talking drum», which is a literature of its own, since it is a distinct method of communication that depends on conveying meaning through non-musical grammatical, tonal and rhythmic rules imitating speech.^[15]^[16] Although, they could be included in performances of the griots.

In ancient Greece, the spoken word was the most trusted repository for the best of their thought, and inducements would be offered to men (such as the rhapsodes) who set themselves the task of developing minds capable of retaining and voices capable of communicating the treasures of their culture.^[17] The Ancient Greeks included Greek lyric, which is similar to spoken-word poetry, in their Olympic Games.^[18]

Development in the United States[edit]

This poem is about the International Monetary Fund; the poet expresses his political concerns about the IMF’s practices and about globalization.

Vachel Lindsay helped maintain the tradition of poetry as spoken art in the early twentieth century.^[19] Robert Frost also spoke well, his meter accommodating his natural sentences.^[20] Poet laureate Robert Pinsky said, «Poetry’s proper culmination is to be read aloud by someone’s voice, whoever reads a poem aloud becomes the proper medium for the poem.»^[21] «Every speaker intuitively courses through manipulation of sounds, it is almost as though ‘we sing to one another all day’.»^[9] «Sound once imagined through the eye gradually gave body to poems through performance, and late in the 1950s reading aloud erupted in the United States.»^[20]

Some American spoken-word poetry originated from the poetry of the Harlem Renaissance,^[22] blues, and the Beat Generation of the 1960s.^[23] Spoken word in African-American culture drew on a rich literary and musical heritage. Langston Hughes and writers of the Harlem Renaissance were inspired by the feelings of the blues and spirituals, hip-hop, and slam poetry artists were inspired by poets such as Hughes in their word stylings.^[24]

The Civil Rights Movement also influenced spoken word. Notable speeches such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s «I Have a Dream», Sojourner Truth’s «Ain’t I a Woman?», and Booker T. Washington’s «Cast Down Your Buckets» incorporated elements of oration that influenced the spoken word movement within the African-American community.^[24] The Last Poets was a poetry and political music group formed during the 1960s that was born out of the Civil Rights Movement and helped increase the popularity of spoken word within African-American culture.^[25] Spoken word poetry entered into wider American culture following the release of Gil Scott-Heron’s spoken-word poem «The Revolution Will Not Be Televised» on the album Small Talk at 125th and Lenox in 1970.^[26]

The Nuyorican Poets Café on New York’s Lower Eastside was founded in 1973, and is one of the oldest American venues for presenting spoken-word poetry.^[27]

In the 1980s, spoken-word poetry competitions, often with elimination rounds, emerged and were labelled «poetry slams». American poet Marc Smith is credited with starting the poetry slam in November 1984.^[18] In 1990, the first National Poetry Slam took place in Fort Mason, San Francisco.^[28] The poetry slam movement reached a wider audience following Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry, which was aired on HBO between 2002 and 2007. The poets associated with the Buffalo Readings were active early in the 21st century.

International development[edit]

Kenyan spoken word poet Mumbi Macharia.

Outside of the United States, artists such as French singer-songwriters Léo Ferré and Serge Gainsbourg made personal use of spoken word over rock or symphonic music from the beginning of the 1970s in such albums as Amour Anarchie (1970), Histoire de Melody Nelson (1971), and Il n’y a plus rien (1973), and contributed to the popularization of spoken word within French culture.

In the UK, musicians who have performed spoken word lyrics include Blur,^[29] The Streets and Kae Tempest.

In 2003, the movement reached its peak in France with Fabien Marsaud aka Grand Corps Malade being a forerunner of the genre.^[30]^[31]

In Zimbabwe spoken word has been mostly active on stage through the House of Hunger Poetry slam in Harare, Mlomo Wakho Poetry Slam in Bulawayo as well as the Charles Austin Theatre in Masvingo. Festivals such as Harare International Festival of the Arts, Intwa Arts Festival KoBulawayo and Shoko Festival have supported the genre for a number of years.^[32]

In Nigeria, there are poetry events such as Wordup by i2x Media, The Rendezvous by FOS (Figures Of Speech movement), GrrrAttitude by Graciano Enwerem, SWPC which happens frequently, Rhapsodist, a conference by J19 Poetry and More Life Concert (an annual poetry concert in Port Harcourt) by More Life Poetry. Poets Amakason, ChidinmaR, oddFelix, Kormbat, Moje, Godzboi, Ifeanyi Agwazia, Chinwendu Nwangwa, Worden Enya, Resame, EfePaul, Dike Chukwumerije, Graciano Enwerem, Oruz Kennedy, Agbeye Oburumu, Fragile MC, Lyrical Pontiff, Irra, Neofloetry, Toby Abiodun, Paul Word, Donna, Kemistree and PoeThick Samurai are all based in Nigeria. Spoken word events in Nigeria^[33] continues to grow traction, with new, entertaining and popular spoken word events like The Gathering Africa, a new fusion of Poetry, Theatre, Philosophy and Art, organized 3 times a year by the multi-talented beauty Queen, Rei Obaigbo ^[34] and the founder ^[35] of Oreime.com.

In Trinidad and Tobago, this art form is widely used as a form of social commentary and is displayed all throughout the nation at all times of the year. The main poetry events in Trinidad and Tobago are overseen by an organization called the 2 Cent Movement. They host an annual event in partnership with the NGC Bocas Lit Fest and First Citizens Bank called «The First Citizens national Poetry Slam», formerly called «Verses». This organization also hosts poetry slams and workshops for primary and secondary schools. It is also involved in social work and issues.

In Ghana, the poetry group Ehalakasa led by Kojo Yibor Kojo AKA Sir Black, holds monthly TalkParty events (collaborative endeavour with Nubuke Foundation and/ National Theatre of Ghana) and special events such as the Ehalakasa Slam Festival and end-of-year events. This group has produced spoken-word poets including, Mutombo da Poet,^[36] Chief Moomen, Nana Asaase, Rhyme Sonny, Koo Kumi, Hondred Percent, Jewel King, Faiba Bernard, Akambo, Wordrite, Natty Ogli, and Philipa.
The spoken word movement in Ghana is rapidly growing that individual spoken word artists like MEGBORNA,^[37] are continuously carving a niche for themselves and stretching the borders of spoken word by combining spoken word with 3D animations and spoken word video game, based on his yet to be released poem, Alkebulan.

Megborna performing at the First Kvngs Edition of the Megborna Concert, 2019

In Kumasi, the creative group CHASKELE holds an annual spoken word event on the campus of KNUST giving platform to poets and other creatives. Poets like Elidior The Poet, Slimo, T-Maine are key members of this group.

In Kenya, poetry performance grew significantly between the late 1990s and early 2000s. This was through organisers and creative hubs such as Kwani Open Mic, Slam Africa, Waamathai’s, Poetry at Discovery, Hisia Zangu Poetry, Poetry Slam Africa, Paza Sauti, Anika, Fatuma’s Voice, ESPA, Sauti dada, Wenyewe poetry among others. Soon the movement moved to other counties and to universities throughout the country. Spoken word in Kenya has been a means of communication where poets can speak about issues affecting young people in Africa. Some of the well known poets in Kenya are Dorphan, Kenner B, Namatsi Lukoye, Raya Wambui, Wanjiku Mwaura, Teardrops, Mufasa, Mumbi Macharia, Qui Qarre, Sitawa Namwalie, Sitawa Wafula, Anne Moraa, Ngwatilo Mawiyo, Stephen Derwent.^[38]

In Israel, in 2011 there was a monthly Spoken Word Line in a local club in Tel-Aviv by the name of: «Word Up!». The line was organized by Binyamin Inbal and was the beginning of a successful movement of spoken word lovers and performers all over the country.

Competitions[edit]

Spoken-word poetry is often performed in a competitive setting. In 1990, the first National Poetry Slam was held in San Francisco.^[18] It is the largest poetry slam competition event in the world, now held each year in different cities across the United States.^[39] The popularity of slam poetry has resulted in slam poetry competitions being held across the world, at venues ranging from coffeehouses to large stages.

Movement[edit]

Spoken-word poetry is typically more than a hobby or expression of talent. This art form is often used to convey important or controversial messages to society. Such messages often include raising awareness of topics such as: racial inequality, sexual assault and/or rape culture, anti-bullying messages, body-positive campaigns, and LGBT topics. Slam poetry competitions often feature loud and radical poems that display both intense content and sound. Spoken-word poetry is also abundant on college campuses, YouTube, and through forums such as Button Poetry.^[40] Some spoken-word poems go viral and can then appear in articles, on TED talks, and on social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

References[edit]

^ Hirsch, Edward (April 8, 2014). A Poet’s Glossary. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0151011957.
^ Hollander, John (1996). Committed to Memory. New York: Riverhead Books. ISBN 9781573226462.
^ Knight, Etheridge (1988). «On the Oral Nature of Poetry». The Black Scholar. Abingdon: Taylor and Francis. 19 (4–5): 92–96. doi:10.1080/00064246.1988.11412887.
^ Kennedy, X. J.; Gioia, Dana (1998). An Introduction to Poetry. Longman. ISBN 9780321015563.
^ Dinesen, Isak (1972). Out of Africa. New York: Random House. ISBN 978-0679600213.
^ Eliot, T. S. (1942), «The Music of Poetry» (lecture). Glasgow: Jackson.
^ The American Heritage Guide to Contemporary Usage and Style. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 2005. ISBN 978-0618604999.
^ Ong, Walter J. (1982). Orality and Literacy: Cultural Attitudes. Metheun.
^ ^a ^b Pinsky, Robert (1999). The Sounds of Poetry: A Brief Guide. Farrar Straus & Giroux. ISBN 9780374526177.
^ Hirsch, Edward (2014). A Poets Glossary. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 9780151011957.
^ Parker, Sam (December 16, 2009). «Three-minute poetry? It’s all the rage». The Times.
^ Olson, Charles (1950). «‘Projective Verse’: Essay on Poetic Theory». Pamphlet.
^ Finnegan, Ruth (2012), Oral Literature in Africa, Open Book Publishers.
^ John Conteh-Morgan, John (1994), «African Traditional Drama and Issues in Theater and Performance Criticism», Comparative Drama.
^ Finnegan (2012), Oral Literature in Africa, pp. 467-484.
^ Stern, Theodore (1957), Drum and Whistle Languages: An Analysis of Speech Surrogates, University of Oregon.
^ Bahn, Eugene; Bahn, Margaret L. (1970). A History of Oral Performance. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Burgess. p. 10.
^ ^a ^b ^c Glazner, Gary Mex (2000). Poetry Slam: The Competitive Art of Performance Poetry. San Francisco: Manic D.
^ ‘Reading list, Biography – Vachel Lindsay’ Poetry Foundation.org Chicago 2015
^ ^a ^b Hall, Donald (October 26, 2012). «Thank You Thank You». The New Yorker. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
^ Sleigh, Tom (Summer 1998). «Robert Pinsky». Bomb.
^ O’Keefe Aptowicz, Cristin (2008). Words in Your Face: A Guided Tour through Twenty Years of the New York City Poetry Slam. New York: Soft Skull Press. ISBN 978-1-933368-82-5.
^ Neal, Mark Anthony (2003). The Songs in the Key of Black Life: A Rhythm and Blues Nation. New York: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-96571-3.
^ ^a ^b «Say It Loud: African American Spoken Word». Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
^ «The Last Poets». www.nsm.buffalo.edu. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
^ Sisario, Ben (May 28, 2011), Ben Sisario, «Gil Scott-Heron, Voice of Black Protest Culture, Dies at 62», The New York Times.
^ «The History of Nuyorican Poetry Slam» Archived October 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Verbs on Asphalt.
^ «PSI FAQ: National Poetry Slam». Archived from the original on October 29, 2013.
^ DeGroot, Joey (April 23, 2014). «7 Great songs with Spoken Word Lyrics». MusicTimes.com.
^ «Grand Corps Malade — Biography | Billboard». www.billboard.com. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
^ «Grand Corps Malade». France Today. July 11, 2006. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
^ Muchuri, Tinashe (May 14, 2016). «Honour Eludes local writers». NewsDay. Zimbabwe. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
^ Independent, Agency (2 February 2022). «The Gathering Africa, Spokenword Event by Oreime.com». Independent. p. 1. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
^ «Tarere Obaigbo: 2021 Mrs. Nigeria Gears Up for Global Stage». THISDAYLIVE. 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
^ «Tarere Obaigbo, Founder Of The Gathering Africa, Wins Mrs Nigeria Pageant — Olisa.tv». 2021-05-19. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
^ «Mutombo The Poet of Ghana presents Africa’s spoken word to the world». TheAfricanDream.net. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
^ «Meet KNUST finest spoken word artist, Chris Parker ‘Megborna’«. hypercitigh.com. Archived from the original on 2021-02-28.
^ Ekesa, Beatrice Jane (2020-08-18). «Integration of Work and Leisure in the Performance of Spoken Word Poetry in Kenya». Journal of Critical Studies in Language and Literature. 1 (3): 9–13. doi:10.46809/jcsll.v1i3.23. ISSN 2732-4605.
^ Poetry Slam, Inc. Web. November 28, 2012.
^ «Home — Button Poetry». Button Poetry.

External links[edit]

Poetry aloud – examples

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Spoken word is a great way to express your truth to others through poetry and performance. To write a spoken word piece, start by picking a topic or experience that triggers strong feelings for you. Then, compose the piece using literary devices like alliteration, repetition, and rhyme to tell your story. Polish the piece when it is done so you can perform it for others in a powerful, memorable way. With the right approach to the topic and a strong attention to detail, you can write a great spoken word piece in no time.

1
Choose a topic that triggers a strong feeling or opinion. Maybe you go for a topic that makes you angry, like war, poverty, or loss, or excited, like love, desire, or friendship. Think of a topic that you feel you can explore in depth with passion.^[1]
- You may also take a topic that feels broad or general and focus on a particular opinion or perspective you have on it. For example, you may look at a topic like “love” and focus on your love for your big sister. Or you may look at a topic like “family” and focus on how you made your own family with close friends and mentors.
2
Focus a memorable moment or experience in your life. Pick an experience that was life changing or shifted your perspective on the world in a profound way. The moment or experience could be recent or from childhood. It could be a small moment that became meaningful later or an experience that you are still recovering from.^[2]
- For example, you may choose to write about the moment you realized you loved your partner or the moment you met your best friend. You can also write about a childhood experience in a new place or an experience you shared with your mother or father.
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3
Respond to a troubling question or idea. Some of the best spoken word comes from a response to a question or idea that makes you think. Pick a question that makes you feel unsettled or curious. Then, write a detailed response to create the spoken word piece.
- For example, you may try responding to a question like “What are you afraid of?” “What bothers you about the world?” or “Who do you value the most in your life?”
4
Watch videos of spoken word pieces for inspiration. Look up videos of spoken word poets who tackle interesting subjects from a unique point of view. Pay attention to how the performer tells their truth to engage the audience. You may watch spoken word pieces like:
- “The Type” by Sarah Kay.^[3]
- “When a Boy Tells You He Loves You” by Edwin Bodney.^[4]
- “Lost Voices” by Darius Simpson and Scout Bostley.^[5]
- “The Drug Dealer’s Daughter” by Sierra Freeman.^[6]

1
Come up with a gateway line. The gateway line is usually the first line of the piece. It should sum up the main topic or theme. The line can also introduce the story you are about to tell in a clear, eloquent way. A good way to find a gateway line is to write down the first ideas or thoughts that pop into your head when you focus on a topic, moment, or experience.^[7]
- For example, you may come up with a gateway line like, “The first time I saw her, I was alone, but I did not feel alone.” This will then let the reader know you are going to be talking about a female person, a “her,” and about how she made you feel less lonely.
2
Use repetition to reinforce an idea or image. Most spoken word will use repetition to great effect, where you repeat a phrase or word several times in the piece. You may try repeating the gateway line several times to remind the reader of the theme of your piece. Or you may repeat an image you like in the piece so the listener is reminded of it again and again.^[8]
- For example, you may repeat the phrase “The first time I saw her” in the piece and then add on different endings or details to the phrase.
3
Include rhyme to add flow and rhythm to the piece. Rhyme is another popular device used in spoken word to help the piece flow better and sound more pleasing to listeners. You may follow a rhyme scheme where you rhyme every other sentence or every third sentence in the piece. You can also repeat a phrase that rhymes to give the piece a nice flow.^[9]
- For example, you may use a phrase like «Bad dad» or «Sad dad» to add rhyme. Or you may try rhyming every second sentence with the gateway line, such as rhyming «The first time I saw him» with «I wanted to dive in and swim.»
- Avoid using rhyme too often in the piece, as this can make it sound too much like a nursery rhyme. Instead only use rhyme when you feel it will add an extra layer of meaning or flow to the piece.
4
Focus on sensory details and description. Think about how settings, objects, and people smell, sound, look, taste, and feel. Describe the topic of your piece using your 5 senses so the reader can become immersed in your story.
- For example, you may describe the smell of someone’s hair as «light and floral» or the color of someone’s outfit as «as red as blood.» You can also describe a setting through what it sounded like, such as «the walls vibrated with bass and shouting,» or an object through what it tasted like, such as «her mouth tasted like fresh cherries in summer.»
5
End with a strong image. Wrap up the piece with an image that connects to the topic or experience in your piece. Maybe you end with a hopeful image or with an image that speaks to your feelings of pain or isolation.
- For example, you may describe losing your best friend at school, leaving the listener with the image of your pain and loss.
6
Conclude by repeating the gateway line. You can also end by repeating the gateway line once more, calling back to the beginning of the piece. Try adding a slight twist or change to the line so the meaning of it is deepened or changed.
- For example, you may take an original gateway line like, “The first time I saw her” and change it to “The last time I saw her” to end the poem with a twist.

1

Read the piece aloud. Once you have finished a draft of the spoken word piece, read it aloud several times. Pay attention to how it flows and whether it has a certain rhythm or style. Use a pen or pencil to underline or highlight any lines that sound awkward or unclear so you can revise them later.^[10]
2

Show the piece to others. Get friends, family members, or mentors to read the piece and give you feedback. Ask them if they feel the piece feels like it represents your style and attitude. Have others point out any lines or phrases they find wordy or unclear so you can adjust them.^[11]
3
Revise the piece for flow, rhythm, and style. Check that the piece has a clear flow and rhythm. Simplify lines or phrases to reflect how you express yourself in casual conversation or among friends. You should also remove any jargon that feels too academic or complex, as you do not want to alienate your listener. Instead, use language that you feel comfortable with and know well so you can show off your style and attitude in the piece.^[12]
- You may need to revise the piece several times to find the right flow and meaning. Be patient and edit as much as you need until the piece feels finished.

1
Memorize the piece. Read the piece aloud several times. Then, try to repeat it aloud without looking at the written words, working line by line or section by section. It may take several days for you to memorize the piece in its entirety so be patient and take your time.^[13]
- You may find it helpful to ask a friend or family member to test you when you have memorized the piece to ensure you can repeat every word by heart.
2
Use your voice to convey emotion and meaning to the audience. Project your voice when you perform. Make sure you enunciate words or phrases that are important in the piece. You can also raise or lower your voice using a consistent pattern or rhythm when you perform. Try speaking in different registers to give the piece variety and flow.^[14]
- A good rule of thumb is to say the gateway line or a key phrase louder than other words every time you repeat it. This can help you find a sense of rhythm and flow.
3
Express yourself with eye contact and facial gestures. Maintain eye contact with the audience when you perform the poem, rather than looking down or at a piece of paper. Use your mouth and face to communicate any emotions or thoughts expressed in the poem. Make facial gestures like a look of surprise when you describe a realization, or a look of anger when you talk about an injustice or troubling moment.^[15]
- You can also use your hands to help you express yourself. Make hand gestures to the audience to keep them engaged.
- Keep in mind the audience will not really be paying attention your lower body or your legs, so you have to rely on your face, arms, and upper body in your performance.
4
Practice in front of a mirror until you feel confident. Use a mirror to get a sense of your facial expressions and your hand gestures. Maintain eye contact in the mirror and project your voice so you appear confident to the audience.
- Once you feel comfortable performing to the mirror, you may decide to perform for friends or family. You can also perform the spoken word piece at a poetry slam or an open mic night once you feel it is ready to share with others.

Add New Question

Question

Must there be a rhythm?

No. The goal should be to write natural-sounding speech. Most people do not naturally employ rhythm in their speech.
Question

What if I have no mirror at home for practicing?

You can practice with a friend or family member instead. Then, ask them to review your performance and offer constructive criticism.
Question

Why is rhyme important to the rhythm of the spoken word?

Actually, rhyme is not especially important in speech patterns, although it can certainly be used to comic or fanciful effect. If this question has been taken from a test, you should simply respond with whatever your teacher or textbook has told you about spoken rhyme.

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To write spoken word, start by coming up with a gateway line, which sums up the main topic or theme and is typically the first line of the piece. As you write, work some repetition into your piece to reinforce the main ideas or images. You should also include rhyme to add flow and rhythm to the piece. Additionally, incorporate sensory details, such as how things felt, smelt, or tasted, to help draw your listener into the world you’ve created. Finally, end with a strong image that will stay with your audience or repeat the gateway line for closure. To learn how to end your spoken word piece, keep reading!

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Oct 24, 2022

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Today’s guest post is by Avery White. Avery writes short stories and spoken word, and is currently working on his first novel for middle grade readers. He runs thirdpersoncreative.com, a site dedicated to weaponizing stories against injustice, prejudice, and passivity in the world around us.

“Respect the poet!” the crowd shouts at a couple at the bar oblivious to what’s going on.

Silence.

Slowly, alliterative spoken word sends chills across my neck, down my arm, and into my chest.

I’m feeling words as my eyes stare rapt at the stage.

Literary devices fly with syllables punctuated by inflection. Poetry one line, prose the next. The performer pauses. It’s 2008, and I’m hooked.

I was first introduced to spoken word while taking a creative writing class in college. I then got involved with a local spoken word community in Bryan, Texas called Mic Check, where the scene above happens weekly.

And today, I’m showing you how to craft your own powerful spoken word piece.

How to Speak Spit Spoken Word

What!?

You mean you weren’t born with an innate ability to write poetry, combine it with performing arts techniques, and rhythmically deliver a piece with clever intonation?

Performance poets weren’t either. Even if their names are Sarah Kay or Madi Mae.

Do you have feelings?

Do you wish you could let them go out, terrorize the neighborhood for a bit, and then come home to you without doing any damage (the kind that costs you money)?

Got a pen?

Let’s do this. Here are four steps to writing spoken word:

1. Tell a Story

If you’ve never written spoken word before, you might feel overwhelmed, unsure where to start. But this type of writing isn’t as foreign as you might think. It can follow the same pattern as a conventional story: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

First, pick a theme you’re passionate about. Putting something down on paper knowing that you’re going to read it out loud later is terrifying, but having passion from the start will help carry you through. And if you’re a writer, you need practice putting fear down anyways!

While there are as many ways to begin writing as there are poets, a way that I have found particularly effective is to start with a “gateway line,” a single line that captures your theme. For example:

“Do not keep the silence golden.”
“Looking past Earth.”
“Life is not ajar.”

To demonstrate this, I’ll write a (short) piece around the following line:

“Practice is failing on purpose.”

Now that I have my gateway line, I’m ready to revisit my dramatic structure: what can I surround my line with? At this point I might make a list of a few plot options:

A little boy learning to ride a bike
A guy practicing how he’s going to start a conversation with the girl of his dreams
A girl exploring the definition of true beauty

I fully intend to reveal something about practice that applies to craft development, but I’m going to do it by juxtaposing it with something wildly different. This will show the audience something about practicing their craft, as well as the subject of the plot.

Spoken word lets you do that. How cool is that!?

2. Flesh It Out

Now that you’ve chosen your plot, it’s time to flesh it out into a story illustrating your theme. This is where you, as the writer, get to shine! How compact can you make it?

At this point you might be thinking that this is remarkably similar to writing anything else. You’re exactly right — it is. That’s why I’m writing this out, to show you that you can do it!

I’ve decided to write a piece about an eight-year-old boy who decides to try to ride his bike sans training wheels. Now, I ask questions to flesh that concept out:

What does he look like? Where is this? How long as he been trying to do this? Why is this important?

Most importantly, why should my audience care about him?

First draft:

Age eight with skinned knees bleeding from the last attempt he pushes two blue wheels uphill.

This time.

Salt touches his tongue as he tilts his face towards the summit. This was his Everest.

He was done training. The two wheels sat lifeless in the garage watching him from a distance.

He believed that with enough speed he could roll forever. The extra weight only slowed him down.

He fought to push the past crashes from his mind as he trudged up Mount Failure.

This was his practice.

3. Read It Out Loud

Once you have something down, read it out loud to evaluate how it sounds. Do you like what you hear?

Spoken word fills the gap between predictable patterns found in traditional forms of poetry and the art of prose. Every literary device, every poetic device, and anything clever you can think of to do while you’re on stage is all fair game. For now, let’s revisit the first draft, tighten the diction, and spice things up with a bit of poetry.

Second draft:

Age eight, and skinned knees pleading he pushes two blue wheels uphill.

This time.

Salt touches tongue as dirt-faced determination drives him to the summit. His Everest.

Two training wheels cry abandoned. Concrete floors and walls lined with tools can get so lonely.

He believed that with enough speed he could roll forever.

Long enough to run the errands that his mother couldn’t.

He fought to push past crashes and knee slashes from his mind as he scaled Mount Failure.

This was his practice.

4. Perform

Now that you like what you’re hearing, start asking performance related questions. This could include questions related to theatre, music, or even dance.

Do you want a part of it to read faster to give it more of a hip-hop sound? Or slower to make it more dramatic? Either way, it’s up to you to figure out how you’re going to read it.

And there you have it — four steps to writing your first spoken word.

Do you write spoken word poetry? What do you find most challenging about it? Let me know in the comments.

PRACTICE

Take fifteen minutes to create a gateway line and draft your own short spoken word. Your gateway line doesn’t necessarily have to appear verbatim in the piece.

Post your gateway line and your spoken word in the comments! And if you share, remember to leave feedback for your fellow writers.

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Art

Tricia Christensen

Last Modified Date: April 12, 2023

Tricia Christensen

Last Modified Date: April 12, 2023

Spoken word is an art form that has long been present in human society. Oral traditions in cultures predate the written word, and poems, or a type of spoken singing or stories, sometimes accompanied by music, held captive many an audience far before the first book was ever written. Even when books became available, troubadours and balladeers often spoke stories of adventure, romance, tragedy and comedy to wide audiences, since reading was not a common accomplishment.

Today, spoken word refers to two separate art forms. One is entirely based on recorded spoken word, such as the reading of novels or the recitation of poetry that supplies us with the modern “books on tape.” The art form in its second definition refers to those events when poets, and sometimes comedians or social commentators recite or invent on the spot poems, commentary, jokes, and the like as a performance piece intended for an audience. The latter type arises from the oral traditions long held in numerous cultures.

Spoken word performances are common in hip-hop.

Songs did replace speaking stories or poems, but in the Beat Poetry movement, interest in performing poetry and other writings held sway over poetry fans. Typically beat poets, not necessarily the famous ones, would recite their poems with music playing in the background. Emphasis however was more on the words than the music, though the poet might time phrasing to coincide with certain parts of musical performance. Music could be live or recorded depending upon the poet.

This tradition led to a little mockery, and some contend participants and fans took it too seriously. Certainly as with all genres of poetry, there were some bad poems written and performed. There were also some very valuable ones, and poets that grew out of the Beat Generation, include Mayo Angelou, who critics cite as being one of the most skilled at reciting her work, since her rich voice and phrasing lend resonance and depth to her work.

Spoken word had few adherents by the mid 1970s, but interest in the form reemerged in the 1980s. Part of this was caused by the variant of spoken word performance in hip-hop and rap. Much of what rap artists did was perform poetry with a musical background, and with specific types of phrasing and resonance. Music fans and literary analysts alike evaluated and continue to evaluate the poetry of many rap artists, and call a number of these artists intensely important contributors to the world of poetry.

The beat type spoken word, often set to jazz instead, and sometimes including other performance aspects like slides or pictures, reemerged as a popular form along with rap. Another outgrowth of spoken word was slam poetry, where poets competed against each other, often extemporaneously. Slam poetry has its roots in Japanese contests of this type, such as the beginning and end of waka, a poetic form that existed in the 10th century.

In another sense though, spoken word doesn’t necessarily involve poetry, and has never gone out of style. It can be the recitation of stories, a solo comedic act, or the performance of a storyteller. There are no hard and fast rules for the art form, which is why you will find many different names associated with the form. Robin Williams is as much master of this literary art form as is Allen Ginsberg or Patti Smith.

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent
contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include
medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently
working on her first novel.

Tricia Christensen

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The power of the spoken word is a concept shared by many cultures and its roots go deep into pre-literate
history. The most widely cited written reference in western civilization comes from the Bible

The Gospel According to Saint John, Chapter One starts:

‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.’

The power of the spoken word, if Saint John’s words are interpreted literally, is sufficient to create an entire world.

In direct contrast is this old rhyme:

‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but names (words) will never hurt me.’

If we accept this idea words are powerless. Now we have a conundrum to consider. In the first quote words are omnipotent. In the second they are impotent.

What do you believe about the Power of the Spoken Word?
Is this a truth or a fanciful notion?
Should you consider the latent power in every word you’re about to utter before you open your mouth?
Before you leap to an answer, try another question.
What is a word?

Is it merely a bundle of random letters?
Is it a sound or a series of sounds?
How do words carry intent or meaning?
Does it matter how or what we actually say?
If we don’t understand the language being used, is there still power in the spoken word?

Out of the Mouths of Babes…
When my son was about three I took him with me on a school camp. The students, (12-13 years old), had a wonderful time playing with him. They piggy-backed him, towed him round in a trolley AND taught him a colorful new vocabulary. The result was dramatic. He swiftly learnt about the power of those spoken words. The older children were delighted, some of the adults shocked and I had the task of re-educating him!

OK. That was lots of questions. Not just one. But words do that. They are complex slippery things defying simplicity. Their exact nature and the question of whether they have power or not has exercised great minds from antiquity to the present
day.

For myself, I know there is Power in the Spoken Word.

I picture a word as carrier. Made of a collection of letters arranged in a unique way, each word denotes or stands for either a thing, person or an action.

These ‘things’, ‘persons’ or ‘actions’ are given meaning through our experience and knowledge of them.
For instance, the word, Mother.
Say the word. Let it roll around your mouth until you can taste it. What images does it conjure up? What feelings come with
those images?

All of what you’ve just re-experienced was unpacked and released by the simple arrangement of six letters: M-O-T-H-E-R. To me, that’s power. The letters by themselves are meaningless.

I believe the ‘bigger’ the word, the more power it has.
By ‘big’ words, I mean those effecting us all regardless of who or where we are. These are universal words shared by
everybody. The language used may be different but the idea contained by those words is the same.

Some of the words from my ‘big’ list are:

life, freedom, love, hate, health, wealth, happiness, death, disease, cancer, family, war, kill, birth, brother, lover,
sister, son, daughter, mother, father, home, speech, forgiveness…

Maybe you can think of more. Each of those carries energy ( either positive or negative) and that energy is the sum of our
emotional response or intention. The word is a conduit allowing us to express ourselves.

How does the Power of the Spoken Word affect us?

Words can heal, words can hurt and words spoken by those closest to us have the most power of all.

Our word education begins when we do, at birth. Tiny and defenceless we are powerless, utterly dependent on others for our survival. From our mothers, fathers, caregivers we learn the power of the spoken word. We learn if we are loved, valued and cherished and we also learn the opposite and all the shades in between.

The messages of our childhoods keep speaking long after they were first spoken. It’s as if they get locked inside our minds
and echo on. Sometimes they lie dormant and then an event will trigger them. Up they pop like a jack-in-the-box and we hear
again what we were told long ago.

I saw this illustrated numerous times as a teacher. Unfortunately it was mostly the negative comments that replayed.

I experienced fully capable adults reduced to emotional chaos over what appeared the simplest of tasks. When the reason for the breakdown was explored they’d often tell me they couldn’t do ‘x’, ‘y’ or ‘z’ because they were stupid, silly or dumb.

When I challenged the statement, they’d say, that’s what they’d been told. Some would go on to tearfully explain. Inevitably there would be some strong figure or a number of them who shot the wounding bullets. They’d been ricocheting ever since.

If we track back over our lives there will be numerous occasions where words either healed or hurt.

How does the Power of our Spoken Words affect others?

If we accept words spoken to us have the capacity or power to affect the way we feel about ourselves, others and the world,
then we must accept our words have the same potential impact on those around us. We can hurt or we can heal. The choice is
ours every time we open our mouths.

Using the Power of Spoken Words to Heal.

Acknowledging the power of spoken words is a fundamental building block to many self-help as well as main stream therapies. For what we say out loud is a guide to what lies within us. If our talk is critical, cynical or destructive, then we tend to find we think about ourselves in a similar way. Quite simply, we don’t like or approve of much that we do or who we think we are. We have little tolerance for our weaknesses. We are ashamed. We fear being less than others. We attack for fear of being exposed.

The power of positive thinking has been well documented. Change the way you think or talk to yourself and you will change
yourself. The words you speak to yourself in the privacy of your mind have power too. Sounds too simple to be true, doesn’t
it? But it is.
Shakespeare said it like this: ‘Nothing is either good or bad.’Tis thinking makes it so.’
Words create our world.

Do you want to put some Positve Power of the Spoken Word in Your life?

Yes! Great. Go to Ten Tips on Using the Positive Power of the Spoken Word. These are simple to use power-packed suggestions.
Let the energy of your words heal.

Would you like to read some more about the power of positive thinking and how self-talk shapes our
lives?

Try reading James Allen’s ‘As a Man Thinketh’. This little classic is regarded as the forerunner to many of the best seller texts of today — including Norman Vincent Peale’s ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’. You can download a free copy right now!

Or you could try any of these 3 links to sites specialising in positive thinking.

They represent a variety of viewpoints. Give each of them a chance to ‘talk’ to you. If you don’t like what you’re ‘hearing’ click up the next. Fortunately, there are many ways to express the power of the spoken word. There will be one appropriate for you.

‘Benefits of Positive Thinking’ belongs to Cristina Diaz.
It contains a broad selection of articles and links to resources. Cristina writes in a warm, approachable way sharing her journey toward thinking positively.

Simon Templeton’s site features a collection of free downloadable classic texts.
Each e-book is a testimony to the power of positive thinking or the power of the spoken word. You’ll find amongst the treasures Napoleon Hill’s ‘Think and Grow Rich’.

Steve Pavlina’s fascinating site features a startling variety of articles all related to various aspects of self development
including positive thinking and the power of the spoken word. He calls it Personal development for Smart People.
Warning! It’s so easy to lose hours here.

PS.
Does using the power of the spoken word positively mean you have to be a ‘pollyanna’ about everything or everybody you meet
in life?
You know…absolutely everything is ‘nice’, ‘super’ or ‘wonderful’ regardless of what you feel or the situation you’re in.

No. That would be daft. It would deny your intelligence and that of the person you’re talking to (even if it’s yourself!).

What it does mean is looking beyond the initial often destructive or dismissive impulse to find the constructive one. Example: I write. I want to write so well the words sing off the page. It seldom happens. Sometimes my words warble pleasantly but they also frequently squawk. I can stop writing altogether and say things like. ‘I tried but it was too hard.’ ‘I don’t have the talent.’
Or I can say: ‘That piece is better than the last. That paragraph worked. I like your sentence construction there. Now how about you go back and have a play with that bit where you were trying to explain…’
See the difference?

Do you ever get bored or feel limited by your current word collection? If so, it’s time to get a new one. Go to my How to Increase Your Word Power page for tips and suggestions to improve your vocabulary. There are thousands and thousands of words in the English language. They’re waiting for you now, all free to a good home; your mouth!

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