© 2018 Abby Mannion

Spoken word poetry is a unique and rising art form.

Its style and presentation lies somewhere between poetry and rap, and because it truly stands as a separate category, there are different characteristics that apply to it. I have been writing spoken word for six years, and in my experience, I have found that there is no set form that specifically qualifies a piece as spoken word. With this unique art form, there really are no “rules” to be followed but rather a sound to be captured.

What does that mean exactly?

First, spoken word does not follow any particular rhyme scheme or line count. In one way, it is free verse poetry—but there is more to spoken word than that. It carries a particular sound. It is rhythmic, and there is a flow to the way the words are situated. Achieving this flowing sound often comes through using slant rhyme. Slant rhyme is when two words do not technically rhyme but still sound very similar. For example, the words “life” and “fight” obviously do not rhyme, but when these words are spoken aloud, their similar sounds allow them to sound pleasing to the ear.

Another important aspect of spoken word is that it tells a story. Like any good story, spoken word consists of an exposition, climax, and denouement. The stories a writer chooses to express through spoken word generally are tied to broader concepts that can relate to a large group. Spoken word tells stories to convey important messages, inspire conviction, or call people to action.

The delivery of these weighty messages is essential to the art of spoken word. After all, spoken word is meant to be spoken, not read. This brings me to my last point. Spoken word is set apart from other forms of poetry because of the way it is performed. Because it is story-oriented, there is a relational aspect to the performance. The speaker seeks to engage and captivate his or her audience to the best of his ability. This is accomplished via hand gestures, eye contact, appropriate facial expressions, and physical movement across a stage to connect with the audience. Because the performance aspect is crucial, the words must be written with delivery in mind.

I hope these fundamental tips for writing spoken word are helpful and inspire you to try your hand at creating this unique and engaging art form.
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Abby Mannion is 19 years old and is a college student at Regent University where she is studying Communications. She has had a passion for writing both poetry and prose since elementary school. At age 16, she wrote and self-published her first book, a devotional for teenagers titled Learn, Act, Pray. Her passion for spoken word has grown over the years, and she is currently in the process of recording her first album. Visit Abby on Instagram.