The Poet X

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. “Slam poetry,” as defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica, is “a form of performance poetry that combines the elements of performance, writing, competition, and audience participation.” What do you know about this form? Consider the origins of slam poetry and how it compares to more traditional poetic forms. Have you ever heard slam poetry? If so, what do you recall about the performer or the performance?

Teaching Suggestion: In modern times, slam poetry is a genre of poetry (“spoken word”), but it is also an artistic movement. Discuss with students the humble origins of slam poetry in 1980s Chicago, when construction worker and poet Marc Kelly Smith created a weekly gathering—called a “poetry slam”—and invited anyone’s participation. If students are less familiar with examples of slam poems/poets, you can review with them examples found in the links below.

• “12 of the Best Slam Poetry Performances to Leave You in Awe” from Book Riot includes a performance by Elizabeth Acevedo.
• “Best Slam Poetry: 5 Top Works from Master Slam Poets” is another collection from Power Poetry.