Here are noteworthy example of poets performing their poems. Observe the techniques they use to bring their poems to life. List what you notice in your notebook. Use some of these techniques to perform your sonnet to the class.
This mouth, this body, this being, is an act of rebellion
DC Youth Slam Team
Lemon Andersen reads "please don't take my air jordans" by reg e. gaines
Here is the text of the poem:
807:
ReplyDelete- arm movements
- very energetic
- acting out; sounded like monologue
- changed the energy and pacing at different points of the poem
- at the climax and falling action, he added suspense and spoke more quickly
- he took it seriously - was in character
- he spoke very clearly and enunciated
- he took a lot of pauses - esp at the end of a line or at punctuation
- the tone and voice goes up and down
- facial expression shows intensity
- takes practice and memorization
- plan out where you will put emphasis
813 notes:
ReplyDelete- he changed the tone of his voice for specific lines
- he altered the speed - sometimes spoke fast or slowly
- uses hand gestures to emphasize
- ex. gestures of walking and pulling out a gun
- stressed specific, important words such as "alive" and "jordans"
- projected his voice clearly while changing volume at certain parts of poem
- the rhyme and rhythm flowed smoothly
- used motion; walked around, used the stage
- the poem uses slang which shows and represents the character of the narrator
- he acts out; uses different voices
- facial expressions change depending on severity or mood of the scene; ex. excitement about clothes, scheming
- his clothing represent the character as well; shows his attitude of not caring and having no remorse
- shows different emotions
- take a lot of time to read the poem and decide or plan how to read it
- memorize as much as you can
- practice
- read your poem and write stage directions and notes for how to read it
805 notes:
ReplyDelete- read with passion
- got into the character's Jordans
- different levels of volume; ex. loud with stronger emotions
- slows down and speeds up at different parts of the poem; ex. at the end he slows down when he is thinking he needs a new jack
- faster speed builds up to a slower revelation;
- emphasized onomatopoeia such as "pow"
- develops a story; gives the message at the end
- street talk and slang (local color) helps us relate to character;
- stressed different words
- uses hand gestures and movements
- gets louder and faster around the climax of the story
- walked around
- to plan your performance:
- know your theme
- plan out where you want to pause and change volume
- show which syllables you want to stress
- practice reading aloud
- know your narrator and act the narrator out
- if you mess up, keep going; it's okay