Does a spoken word poem have to rhyme?

No. Many spoken word poems use some rhyme, often inside lines, but rhythm, repetition and the poet's delivery matter more than a rhyme scheme.

How long is a spoken word poem?

Length varies. Poetry slams usually set a limit of about three minutes.

Poetic Form

Spoken Word

Poetry written to be performed aloud, where voice, rhythm and presence carry the poem.

1 min read

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LengthAbout 3 minutesThe usual slam time limit

VoiceWritten to be heardPerformed, not just read

RhymeOptionalRhythm and repetition matter more

SubjectPersonal and politicalOften both at once

About Spoken Word

Spoken word is poetry written first for the ear: meant to be performed to a room, a microphone, or a camera rather than read silently on a page. It draws its power from the poet's voice, from rhythm and repetition, and from the direct, often personal address to the people listening.

Structure

No fixed line count, meter or rhyme scheme. Spoken word leans on the tools of speech: repetition and refrain, rhythm that builds and releases, internal rhyme, and lines shaped for breath. Performances at a poetry slam are usually held to about three minutes.

Spoken word has no fixed pattern. What defines it is performance: the poem is shaped for breath and for a listener, using repetition, refrains and rhythm that build and release.

A Short History

1950sBeat poets read aloud to jazz in coffeehouses.
1970Gil Scott-Heron records "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised".
1973The Nuyorican Poets Cafe begins as a New York salon.
1980sThe poetry slam begins in Chicago.
TodaySpoken word reaches millions on stage and online.

Famous Spoken Word Poems

01"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"Gil Scott-Heron
02"Amethyst Rocks"Saul Williams
03"B" ("If I Should Have a Daughter")Sarah Kay

Questions About Spoken Word

The things people ask most, answered in a sentence or two.

Spoken word is any poetry written to be performed aloud. Slam poetry is spoken word performed in a competition, usually under a time limit and scored by judges from the audience.

Spoken Word Poems on GS Poetry

Written by poets here, this week and every week.