ShmoopTube

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[Dino and Coop singing]

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When you hear the word “slam” you probably think of slam dunks, or grand slams! [Basketball player and baseball player]

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And, if you say the word "slam" a lot, it starts to sound pretty funny…

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"slam slam slam slam slam slam slam slam"

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…Ahem.

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But there's another “slam” you're probably not thinking of... [Girl thinking]

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Denny's Grand Slam! [Pancakes appear]

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…No?

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Hm.

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Maybe we're just hungry.

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Apparently we're supposed to be talking about poetry slams. [Dino pointing at a blackboard]

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And no, that's not when you slam dunk onto a basket while reciting the lines to Edgar

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Allan Poe's The Raven. [Basketball player slam dunking]

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Nevermore! Slam.

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A poetry slam is an opportunity for poets to share poems with one another as well an [Guy on stage reciting his poem]

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audience – and that's exactly what you'll be doing!

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And yes.

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It has to be out loud.

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No cool power point presentations allowed.

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Whether it's a Langston Hughes poem, a Walt Whitman poem, or a poem you've written on [Pictures of Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman]

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your own, a poetry slam is your chance to show off your ability to pace yourself and

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read with expression.

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Once you've chosen the poem you plan on reciting, there's a few key steps to follow to really [Girl holding a poem looking happy]

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get to know that poem inside out.

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First, you have to analyze the poem in order to understand each and every word and what [Coop pointing at a blackboard]

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they all mean.

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After that, you'll want to figure out how you should pace the poem for maximum enjoyment, [The poem runs away from a guy]

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as well as how you want to express yourself throughout.

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Once that's all sorted out, the next step is to practice, practice, practice – both [Dino pointing at a blackboard]

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by yourself and in a small group with others.

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Once you've done all of that, you'll be super prepared for your big moment – performing

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it at the slam.

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If it sounds like a lot of work, don't stress.

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Poetry slams are pretty much always a whole lot of fun – so get excited.

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Just not too excited that you forget which “slam” we're talking about and go around [Guy slams a plate of pancakes through a basketball hoop]

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slam dunking your Grand Slam into things.

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