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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.
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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.
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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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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?”
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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]
- “The Type” by Sarah Kay.[3]
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.»
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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.
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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.
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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]
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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]
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Add New Question
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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.
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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.
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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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Article SummaryX
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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Reader Success Stories
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Akinwumi Shulammite
Oct 24, 2022
«It’s inspiring, when I saw this article I became more curious about the spoken word that I want to practice and…» more
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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.
Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events. Spoken word poetry originated from the poetry of the Harlem Renaissance and blues music.
Since its inception, the spoken word has been an outlet for people to release their views outside the academic and institutional domains of the university and academic or small press. The spoken word and its most popular offshoot, slam poetry, evolved into the present day soap-box for people, especially younger ones, to express their views, emotions, life experiences or information to audiences. The views of spoken word artists encompass frank commentary on religion, politics, sex and gender, often taboo subjects in the world of contemporary academic poetry.
Spoken word is used to inform or make an audience conscious of some human aspect pertaining to life.*
Honestly, I cannot remember how I discovered spoken word but I do remember the first poem I listened to and fell in love with was Sarah Kay’s «Private parts». I remember I couldn’t stop watching her poems that day, and I spent the following week indoors checking out as much spoken word as I could find on line. Eventually I found out about Russell Simmons Def Poetry and I also checked those series, which I found amazing. It was so amazing, def poetry a.k.a spoken word had so much meaning into it, it could go so deep and resonate with what’s inside your mind or it could be carefree- make you smile, laugh. There’s always that story behind someone’s poem which I find amazing and
genuine!
At one point I heard about Sarah Kay’s «Project Voice» and I also listened to this broadcast where she explained how she teaches spoken word. She gave a few tips on how to start writing spoken word and she kept on insisting it was so easy that I fell for it. I got to admit, it was a bit hard in the beginning but just because I was expecting too much from me. I was listening to poets that had years to improve their skills and I was comparing my poems with theirs. Like everything else, poetry writing takes practice… and it improves in time.
Anyway, spoken word is a really great way to put your brain to work. It also brings out the genuine, creative person inside you, and I also find it to be a good way to get a load off your chest. Each spoken word poetry can become your world for five minutes, and you can invite anyone in to share your feelings.
So here are some tips (some of them I learned from Sarah Kay and some of them are from my own personal experience) on how to write spoken word:
1. Start off with something easy.
Sarah Kay gave some suggestions on how you should start writing poetry by writing lists. For example, start writing a list of 5-10 things I know to be true, or I should’ve learned by now. Also try 10 things I love/want/had.
2. Don’t try too hard.
Don’t try to write super complicated filled with emotions and metaphors poems from the beginning, you’ll only end up waisting time and feeling disappointed. Your first poems should go naturally, easy, that way you’ll be amazed to see how far you’ve come after a while. One of my first poems started like this:
«I am a believer
I believe in sunrise and sunset,
In stars and oceans, waves and summer breeze.
I believe in achievements and wisdom, love and fear…»
Seriously guys, it was that lame. But, with patience and practice hopefully I evolved. Take your time being a caterpillar before you are ready to turn into a talented, unique butterfly and spread your wings to fly.
3. Inspire yourself
Look around you for things to inspire you. For example you can listen to some poetry, maybe one word or one phrase someone recites triggers something inside your brain. Listening to music is also a great inspiration source -at least for me. When I listen to music I can picture the story behind the song (but mostly only when I listen to instrumentals). Also, try to look at the world from a different perspective. When you take a walk try to observe as many things as possible, a funny incident, a person you like, a beautiful view on the landscapes. Inspire yourself from everything around you.
4. Read/watch as many spoken word/poems as possible
Pay attention to what suits you better, which artists do you like most and why. Understand it and go in that direction. For example if you like an artists that always has funny poems you may be prone to write funny poems, it’s likely they’ll make you feel more comfortable. You can always experience other types of poems if you want to!
5. Read your poems out loud
I know it sounds like no big deal but trust me it makes a difference.
6. Revise and rewrite your poems
If it doesn’t sound very good right after it’s done that’s alright, just give it some time. Focus on writing other poems and come back to revise this one after a while, you’ll have a different perspective after you took a brake from it. It’ll help you see the bigger picture.
7. Use your imagination.
That’s what I love most about artists, they CREATE their world however they want it to be, and they can drag you into their stories faster than you can even realize it. So use your imagination, create whatever you wish and do your best to convince the audience (even if the audience is just you or a couple of friends of yours.) that world you’re writing really exists.
8. Spoken word doesn’t have to rhyme
So don’t struggle to find rhymes. But, if you have a good rhyme in mind. don’t hesitate! Make it part of your poetry, find your flow.
9. Make a special notebook for poetry writing.
I bought my poetry notebook just because I liked the cover of it. Every time I pull it out of my bag it makes me smile. Also one more thing I did was to write quotes from my best poems on colored post it notes and stick them on the first page of the notebook. That way every time I open the notebook to write I can read pieces of my best creations and feel proud. It really boosts up your morale.
10.
Be honest with yourself
If something hurt you and it still does let it out, don’t back from your thoughts and feelings. If you worry your poem will be too cheesy or too sad, stop worrying! just let it be. Acknowledge the fact that those thoughts were haunting your brain for some time now. Get to know them and set them free…and what better way is there to set thoughts free than by poetry?
11.
Write as often as possible
And this is, the most important thing of all. Write constantly, even if you have just one or two sentences in mind, just write them down. Also, carry the notebook with you all the time. You never know when something will trigger the inspiration in you.
Wishing you the best,
Rachel
(*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoken_word)
11 Steps To Write A Spoken-Word Poem
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I was first introduced to spoken-word by a senior during my junior year during creative writing club. I fell in love with it, so I looked up any spoken-word pieces on youtube. One of the first people I have ever listened to was Sarah Kay. She’s been one of my favorite poets til this day. I know a lot of people out there aren’t familiar with spoken-word, so I thought I’d write out 11 steps on how to write one.
1. Brainstorm About Something You’re Passionate About (& List Them)
Think of topics that you know about really well such as feminism, stuff about the modern world, technology, or make it personal—your pet peeves, things you love, your life story, a letter to your younger self, etc. If you think of a word, you can work around that word to create it. For example, I have written about mental illness (anxiety and depression mostly), but I have been successful with it. The same advice goes for articles, but it’s in a more poetic, free form style.
2. Pick Your Top Three Favorites
Your first three could be (and in no particular order) An Ode To Autumn, A Letter To My Frenemy, or An Ode To Pokémon. You can write all three and see which one you can talk about a lot. Usually, the one you know about a lot and can write about for a long time without having a brain fart is a sign that the piece is going to succeed.
3. Write, Write and Write
Before writing into the spoken-word form, I would write everything you love, know, agree and disagree with that certain topic. Write everything in a journal, of connecting thoughts. With thoughts, it’s like a tree, because one branch leads to smaller ones, which stems into leaves, and so on. For example, for an ode to autumn, I would write about how I love the colors of leaves, wearing beanies, bonfires, and the best part: no mosquitos. Plus, you have an excuse to wear hoodies and cuddle up in a blanket.
4. Pick The Topic
Let’s just say I chose to do the ode to autumn. It was my best choice, so I stick to that decision. If you end up writing a lot, and you realize that you don’t like your topic, then you can change it. All the writing is in your hands, as the writer.
5. Write Your First Draft
I’d take snipbits from the journal I wrote and rephrase it in the beginning. I can start with “I just LOVE autumn. The beanies, the ever so changing color of leaves, and chilly weather (oh my). I don’t think we’re in summer anymore.” Even if you think it’s terrible, it’s your first draft of it, and you can always revise it.
6. Read It Out Loud
I think of a spoken-word as a rant sometimes. When you read your piece out loud, you should hear the mistakes or the parts where it doesn’t flow and it sounds weird. You (sometimes) get ideas when you finally read it to yourself and when that happens, a light goes off in your head and you get ideas.
7. Edit, Peer Edit, and Edit
For the first spoken-word I wrote, I had at least 3 to 5 different drafts because I was either unhappy with it, or I found new ways to make it flow a lot better. Have your teachers, friends, and family look at it and ask them what they think. A second set of eyes could help a lot.
8. Research Different Styles Of Spoken Word
There’s a ton of authors that are spoken-word poets: Watsky, Kevin Coval, Sarah Kay, Phil Kaye, Guante, and so much more. Different artists and different styles could inspire your next line or even the title of your piece. There’s also two to three youtube channels that I recommend: Button Poetry, Brave New Voices, and Youth Speaks.
9. Develop Your Style
Choose how you want to present this poem that has a subject your passionate about to the audience. That’s the way you could solidify your confidence when you perform it (if you ever do, spoken-word is meant to be performed) This is what I mean by ‘style’.
10. Finalize Everything
Read your piece out loud again, make sure everything flows, and most importantly, you’re happy with it. Perform it for a teacher or a friend. Let them know you want them to tell you what you could improve on anything from the performance to the poem itself.
11. Have Fun and Perform
After you’ve finalized everything, and you know how you want to perform it, have fun with it. You’ve finished everything for the piece and you can still edit it here and there if you end up being unhappy with it again. Spoken-word is really fun and it’s a chance to put your voice out there about something your passionate about.
I haven’t written a spoken-word piece in a while, but it’s because I haven’t found any inspiration, and I do have school work. But when I do think of things to write about, it’s usually at night because of late night thoughts, shower thoughts, and car thoughts. But all in all, I love spoken-word poetry and I think everyone should learn how to write at least one.
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Spoken word is written on a page but performed for an audience. It relies on a heavy use of rhythm, improvisation, rhymes, word play, and slang.
Spoken Word is writing that is meant to be read out loud. Some examples of spoken word you might be familiar with are stories, poems, monologues, slam poetry, rap and even stand-up comedy. When writing a spoken word piece use words and phrases that project onto the minds of the listeners like vivid images, sounds, actions and other sensations. If your poem is rich with imagery, your listeners will see, smell, feel and maybe even taste what you’re telling them. Here are some spoken word poems from our Power Poets.
- Choose a subject and have attitude. No attitude, no poem! Feelings and opinions give poetry its “richness.” Each poet has a unique perspective and view of the world that no one else has. It is important that a spoken word poem embodies the courage necessary to share one’s self with the rest of the world. The key here is to build confidence. We must acknowledge ourselves as writers and understand what we have to say is important. Practice. Practice. Practice.
- Pick your poetic devices. Poems that get attention are ones that incorporate simple, but powerful poetic elements. Repetition is a device that can help a writer generate exciting poems with just repeating a key phrase or image. Rhyming can enrich your diction and performance. (Check out other poetic devices while you’re at it.)
- Performance. Spoken word poems are written to be performed. After your poem is written, practice performing the poem with the elements of good stage presence in mind. It is important to maintain Eye Contact – Don’t stare at the floor, or hide behind a piece of paper/phone. From time to time, look into the eyes of people in the audience to capture their attention. Projection is also crucial, so remember to speak loudly and clearly so that your voice can be heard from a distance. Enunciation helps the listeners to hear exactly what you say. Don’t mumble. Speak clearly and distinctly so that the audience can understand what you are saying. Facial Expressions help animate your poem. You’re not a statue: smile if you’re reading something happy. Look angry if your poem is about anger. This might sound silly, but using the appropriate facial expressions help express various emotions in your performance. Gestures such as hand motions and body movements emphasize different elements of your performance. Choose the right gestures for your poem.
- Memorization. Once you’ve memorized your spoken word piece, you can devote more time to your performance. Memorization allows you to be truly in touch with the meaning and the emotional content of your poem, even if you forget a word or a line you can improvise (freestyle), which is one of the most important elements of spoken word.
- Power Poetry. Spoken word must be, well, spoken. To create an online performance (so that you can share it on Power Poetry, of course) check out our multimedia tip guide to bring your work to life.
Related Poems
Create a poem about this topic
As I mentioned in my last post, every Saturday for the next few weeks I’m going to be posting some ideas for using writing as worship, and incorporating writing into your quiet times. You can read my previous post for a few basics.
Today let’s talk about spoken word! Spoken word is basically poetry that’s meant to be read out loud. If there are any rules, I don’t know them. Spoken word can sound different based on the topic and the artist reciting the piece. Each writer seems to have their own rhythm, and I love listening to the different unique styles. You can find tons of examples on YouTube. I love some of the stuff put out by P4CM.
I tend to write a lot about things I’m going through. I write about identity, and anxiety, and hearing truth over lies. My poems often begin with me talking about an issue I’m facing. It’s kind of a way for me to vent and bring my issues into the light. Then I move on to writing and speaking the truth about those issues. For example, my spoken word “Loved” begins with me being frustrated about listening to lies again, and then spends the rest of the time pointing out truth after truth after truth about the way God loves me. Sometimes I will finish a poem with praise to God for His goodness.
I love spoken word because I feel like my mind is in a war. It’s so easy for me to believe lies. But there’s something so powerful about audibly saying, “No! This is the truth!” Saying God’s promises and truth’s out loud is like winning a battle. I can’t listen to lies when I’m speaking truth.
In order to write truth and speak truth, I have to know what that truth is. When I write spoken word I often have a Bible or two open on the table, looking up verses, jotting down truths in my journal, and using those in the pieces I’m writing. For example, the first spoken word piece I wrote, “Loved” was put on my heart in Uganda, when God was teaching me about His love. There are several pages in my journal from that time filled with Bible verses about love, and things jotted down from the footnotes in my study Bible about love. If you read the spoken word that came from all of that, you’ll see a lot of it is just a paraphrasing of what God says in His word about love. Some taken from Romans, some from Isaiah, some from other places too. All collected in one place so I can audibly say, “I don’t have time for lies. I am loved.”
Your process may end up looking different! But if you want to try writing some spoken word by following my process, here are a few tips.
1. Pray! Ask God what He wants to teach you about Himself. Ask what He wants you to write. And then sit quietly for a bit and listen.
2. Is there a particular issue you are struggling with in your life? Spoken word, poetry, really any type of writing is a great way to deal with that. So start your poem by talking about the problems you’re facing. Of course you can just make a poem of praise, too, without focusing on problems or issues. Maybe you’re having an amazing day. Then go ahead and write about that!
3. Dig into the Word! If you’re struggling with feeling unloved, dig in and discover what the Bible says about how loved you are. If you’re struggling with worry, research what the Word says about that, and what it says about the Lord being our provider. Whatever it is, look into it. Or if you just want to write a poem about how amazing God is, go for it! Learn all you can about His awesome qualities.
4. Take notes as you study. Feel free to jot them down any which way in your journal, or use markers, or write in bubble letters or whatever. For some reason, writing sort of chaotically in an unorganized way makes me feel more creative. But that may be the opposite of what you prefer. Just don’t be afraid to try new things!
5. Pray again. Pray through the entire process, actually.
6. Write. Haha, I wish I could offer you more detailed advice than that. But remember, writing should be about glorifying God and not producing a certain number of pages. Just enjoy the process of getting into the Word, learning more about Him, hearing His voice. Take all the notes you’ve gathered, and make something with it. A short poem, a long poem, a list of truth statements. It may not look like what you intended in the beginning. That’s okay! Have fun with it. Don’t feel like you have to write in complete sentences, and certainly don’t feel the need for paragraphs.
7. A note about rhythm and rhyme: I don’t know really know how to explain how to give your stuff rhythm and make your stuff rhyme. Often the rhyming takes work. Lots of sitting there staring at the wall or pacing around the living room searching for just the right word. To get the rhythm right, I recommend reading your piece out loud as you write it. You will get a better idea of how it’s coming together.
8. Don’t get frustrated if it isn’t turning out the way you want or if you’re having trouble finishing it. Sometimes, the piece may come together over several days or even months. Sometimes, God reveals things to me a little bit at a time, teaching me things slowly, giving me things to process. At the end I’m often at a very different place than I was when I started. I’ve learned something. I’ve grown because of spending time with God. Listen to His voice. Just enjoy spending time with Him writing!
Well. By now I’ve either inspired you or thoroughly confused you. Remember, this is just my process. Yours may look completely different!
Now here’s a little activity to get you started.
Some of my spoken word poems are based entirely on pieces of Scripture. Sometimes a verse catches my eye when I’m reading the Bible and I feel the need to write about it. Recently I had been meditating on Psalm 138. Go ahead and read it. Ask God to speak to your heart.
1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.
3 When I called, you answered me;
you greatly emboldened me.
4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
5 May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord is great.
6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
8 The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
I have a “Revised Standard Version” Bible, and I love the way it puts verse 8:
“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
thy steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of thy hands.”
I like the way the New King James version of the Bible words verses 3, 7, and 8:
3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
What stands out to you in this passage? Pray. Ask God to speak to you. Ask Him to put something on your heart and onto the page. Pick something and write about it. There’s a lot to choose from! You could write your own psalm of praise based on the characteristics of God talked about in this Psalm. You could write about God’s love and faithfulness. Or write about a time when you called and God answered. Write about God’s glory. Write about what it’s like to walk in the midst of trouble. What does that feel like? What does it look like? Write about God preserving your life and reviving you. Write about God fulfilling His purpose for you. Write about Him not abandoning the work that He’s started. Write about His enduring mercy.
Don’t freak out. Have fun!
Happy to have an outstanding poet and spoken word artist in the pub today…and handing the mic to Ami Mattison who prepared this wonderful article for us..
There are no hard-and-fast rules for writing spoken word poetry. Like poetry in general, spoken word poetry can’t be boxed-in. Still, how to write spoken word is a concern for poets interested in reading or performing their poetry for live audiences. So, I’d like to highlight a few observations about spoken word poetry as an aesthetic style, examine a specific example, and then offer an exercise for writing a successful spoken word poem.
Spoken word is intended for a listening audience. Thus, it must somehow manage to speak itself in a way that makes its various images and metaphors easily apparent, or accessible, to any listener and not necessarily to someone “schooled” in poetry or even spoken word. Sure, a lot of spoken word poems need to be heard several times to appreciate all the nuances of meanings. But the success of a spoken word poem depends upon being able to convey its meanings in a single performance.
As a result, translucency, or poetic transparency is a key element of spoken word poetry. So, how does a spoken word poem achieve translucency? Well, it does so not much differently than any poem. For instance, the use of narrative, repetition, and direct address to the audience is common to spoken word poetry. Also, spoken word poetry often utilizes language one hears spoken in common parlance and images that manage to be familiar and yet not clichéd. But a popular element of spoken word poetry that I want to focus on is its use of first-person point of view.
Check out Minton Sparks poem “Fill Her Up.”
Watching and listening to Sparks’ performance, you can see why the poem lends itself so well to being spoken to a live audience. Without sacrificing poetic complexity, Sparks’ manages to use rather simple descriptions for a memorable portrait of a woman who works as a gas station attendant.
But the entire piece is framed as Sparks’ personal story. Yes, this is the daughter’s portrait of the mother, but it is also Sparks’ portrait of herself. And because it’s written in first-person, we, as the audience, have a tangible narrator with which to identify in the poem and which is then mirrored by Sparks’ stage presence.
And that’s the rather simple “trick” of utilizing first-person address for spoken word. As an audience, we tend to suspend disbelief with first-person accounts of all kinds, thereby trusting the truthfulness of the narrator. But we are even more likely to believe and allowed to be led by a piece that speaks to us in everyday language with images that are familiar. So, in the final instance, the voice of the spoken word poem written in first-person point of view resonates as immediate, intimate, and familiar.
As an exercise in writing a spoken word poem, consider how you tend to speak to others. Examine your own language choice in your every day interactions. Now, write a first-person account in the unique voice you use every day. Utilize words you’re likely to use or encounter in daily interactions, as well as images that are familiar to you. See what happens when you utilize your poetic skills to take your unique voice and its mundane language and let it speak an interesting and compelling poem written in first-person point of view.