Tips for writing Spoken Word Poems
- Write without editing. Write fast or slow, but don’t prejudge your ideas. Write from your own honest observations, experiences and thoughts. The point is to get something down on paper to edit and polish later. You don’t even have to write your thoughts in order; random lines or verses can be organized for coherence at the editing stage.
- Rewrite. Few people write a masterpiece in one sitting, so edit and re-edit your work. Play with the flow and beat of the lines, use lots of concrete images (nouns and adjectives) and active verbs, and choose precise words or phrases to make your meaning clear. Try to make the poem about one specific thing. Set it aside for a day or two and go back to it with fresh eyes.
- Read your poem out loud. After all, it is “spoken” word! Know how the words feel in your mouth and sound in your ears. Commit them to memory. You’ll be performing at some point, so be critical of the poem’s strong and weak elements. Record your voice and listen to it in order to make changes or improvements.
- Read to a trusted friend or partner. Once you are satisfied your poem is the best it can be, share it with someone whose opinion you trust. Ask for honest feedback on improving both the poem and your performance. Be receptive to suggestions, but remember it is your decision whether or not to make any changes.
Poetry
This is Taylor Mali, he is a Spoken Word artist.
How is his performance different than a speech or oral presentation?
A poem is a piece of writing that follows a particular flow of rhythm. It is different when compared to prose (writing that resembles our everyday way of speaking). Poetry as the expression of a thought, an idea, a concept or a story in a structured form which has a flow and a rhythm created by the sounds and syllables in it. If you think about it this way, you will realize that your favourite musicians are poets too!
Elements of Poetry <- Click here to explore some of the tools you can use to create your poem
Types of Poetry <- Click here to explore different types of poems
Types of Poetry <- Click here to explore different types of poems
1. The first type of poem we will be exploring is the Limerick
A limerick is a short and witty poem. This poem has five lines in a stanza. The first, second and fifth line have the same structure and they rhyme with each other. They contain 8 syllables each. The third and fourth lines have the same structure and they rhyme with each other. These lines contain five syllables.
Example:
There once was a girl with some time,
who wanted badly to write rhyme.
She checked out this site,
and to her delight,
she found writing limericks prime.
Step 1: Read limericks
Read other limericks to get an understanding of limericks. You can find collections of limericks at your local library or book store.
Step 2: Understand what a limerick should look and sound like
Learn the limerick's form. A limerick is a five-line poem, usually witty or funny, where the last word of lines one, two, and five, which each have 7-10 syllables, rhyme, and the last word of lines three and four, which each have 5-7 syllables, rhyme.
Step 3: Write line one
Write the first line, introducing a character or a location. The line should be 7-10 syllables and the last word needs to rhyme with the last words of lines two and five. Don't end your first line with the word orange!
Tip:
Remember, limericks are meant to be funny, so setting up your joke or idea strongly at the beginning helps the rest of the poem.
Step 4: Write line two
Begin line two. This line should introduce a plot. The last word must rhyme with the last word in line one and the line is again 7-10 syllables.
Step 5: Write lines three and four
Construct lines three and four by thinking of two rhyming words that can serve as the last words of these two lines. These lines are five to seven syllables and can introduce a problem, solution, or maybe just something that makes the story funny.
Step 6: Write the final line
Write your final line by reverting back to the format of lines one and two: 7-10 syllables long with a last word that rhymes lines one and two. This line should wrap up your limerick in a witty or humorous way.
Step 7: Read aloud
Read aloud to an audience and enjoy the feedback!
Now try it!
There once was a girl with some time,
who wanted badly to write rhyme.
She checked out this site,
and to her delight,
she found writing limericks prime.
Step 1: Read limericks
Read other limericks to get an understanding of limericks. You can find collections of limericks at your local library or book store.
Step 2: Understand what a limerick should look and sound like
Learn the limerick's form. A limerick is a five-line poem, usually witty or funny, where the last word of lines one, two, and five, which each have 7-10 syllables, rhyme, and the last word of lines three and four, which each have 5-7 syllables, rhyme.
Step 3: Write line one
Write the first line, introducing a character or a location. The line should be 7-10 syllables and the last word needs to rhyme with the last words of lines two and five. Don't end your first line with the word orange!
Tip:
Remember, limericks are meant to be funny, so setting up your joke or idea strongly at the beginning helps the rest of the poem.
Step 4: Write line two
Begin line two. This line should introduce a plot. The last word must rhyme with the last word in line one and the line is again 7-10 syllables.
Step 5: Write lines three and four
Construct lines three and four by thinking of two rhyming words that can serve as the last words of these two lines. These lines are five to seven syllables and can introduce a problem, solution, or maybe just something that makes the story funny.
Step 6: Write the final line
Write your final line by reverting back to the format of lines one and two: 7-10 syllables long with a last word that rhymes lines one and two. This line should wrap up your limerick in a witty or humorous way.
Step 7: Read aloud
Read aloud to an audience and enjoy the feedback!
Now try it!
Mother's Day Poem
You have several options. Choose something that will make the special lady in your life happy and proud.
1. You can create a heart-shaped message/poem with the text editor below.
-> Mother's Day Message - Text Editor <-
-> Mother's Day Message - Text Editor <-
2. If you are creating your own border for your poem you may use this template to type you poem into. Your completed poem with border can be laminated so that it will last.
3. You can create a word cloud using this online web tool
3. You can create a word cloud using this online web tool
