Achievement standards for this lesson:
Year 9 – Students listen for ways texts position an audience.
Year 10 – Students listen for ways features within texts can be manipulated to achieve particular effects.
During this lesson we will use spoken word poetry to explore the use of emphasis in text to engage an audience.
What is spoken word poetry?
Spoken word poetry is a word-based performance art where speakers engage in powerful self-expression by sharing their views on particular topics for a live audience, focusing on sound and presentation. Spoken word performances require memorization, performative body language (like gestures and facial expressions), enunciation, and eye contact with viewers.
Spoken word poetry is a form of poetry that doesn’t have to rhyme, but certain parts can be rhymed to emphasize an image or give it a lyrical quality. Spoken word poems will sometimes contain elements of hip-hop, folk music, or jazz to enhance the rhythmic presentation.
Familiarise yourself with the following list of poetic devices, they will come in handy later!
Compare the following poem in written form and as a spoken word presentation, then think about these questions:
Is this engaging? What makes the video more or less engaging than reading the poem? What are the devices (above) used by Maia Mayor to connect with the audience? Are these devices used in other forms of text?
Now, please watch ‘To This Day’ by Shane Koyczan and think about these questions:
How did this make you feel?
Do you think it was more engaging because of the way it was presented?
Activity
Please download the worksheet below and complete the activity. Once you have finished please hand it in to Erin. If you need any help, ask one of your teachers!
Muliyan 