Welcome to SLASH, a dynamic new feature at HASH magazine. SLASH is a weekly column that will bring spoken word poetry to HASH’s readers.
What is spoken word?
If poetry is alive, spoken word poetry inhabits a third, vivid, and especially personal dimension. It incorporates dynamics, chord changes, staccatos, throat-clearing, gestures, movement, and breathing. Spoken word is where poetry meets theater, but it’s theater that you write for yourself. Spoken word poets are not actors or intermediaries; they both write and tell stories themselves. They present their work with all of the emotions, complexities, and immediacy that the genre allows.
You might hear “spoken word” poetry called “slam poetry” or “performance poetry.” These are all terms for essentially the same artform. A “poetry slam” typically refers to a competition among poets. I first experienced spoken word poetry at a slam. I sat at the back of a packed auditorium and boo’ed when judges didn’t give performers sufficient scores. We gave standing ovations and laughed and screamed when performers exceeded the time limit. Non-competitive performances have the same energy. Audience members snap their fingers to express agreement or encourage the poet.
You might think that spoken word poetry should be loud, energetic, rhythmic, rhyming, controversial, personal, or political. It can be, of course, but that’s only one style. Poets should experiment with diverse techniques and themes. Write about activism, family, frustration, love, your favorite science fiction show, or the deplorable oatmeal in your school’s cafeteria. Spoken word poetry can be loud or soft, fast or slow. Poets can create powerful performances by raising or lowering their voices, rhyming, or stopping. Restrictions don’t apply.
What is SLASH?
SLASH will be a weekly feature on the HASH website. It will feature work from its readers and the HASH staff. It will also present interviews, articles, and posts about effective strategies for creating and performing spoken word. Readers: we will accept video (to be featured on HASH’s YouTube page) or sound recordings of spoken word poetry. Please see the “spoken word” category on HASH’s submission page for details.
“SLASH” is mashup of “slam” and “HASH,” but the word “slash” also indicates two separate ideas, which suggests the union of writing and performance. SLASH has a simple goal: to bring spoken word poetry to new audiences across the world. I grew up in a small town and didn’t learn about spoken word until I was a teenager. Many people lack opportunities to experience live performances. I want to bring spoken word to HASH’s readers and encourage writers to explore this form. I want to challenge you to experiment, invent, and share your spoken word performances with the world.
What is spoken word?
If poetry is alive, spoken word poetry inhabits a third, vivid, and especially personal dimension. It incorporates dynamics, chord changes, staccatos, throat-clearing, gestures, movement, and breathing. Spoken word is where poetry meets theater, but it’s theater that you write for yourself. Spoken word poets are not actors or intermediaries; they both write and tell stories themselves. They present their work with all of the emotions, complexities, and immediacy that the genre allows.
You might hear “spoken word” poetry called “slam poetry” or “performance poetry.” These are all terms for essentially the same artform. A “poetry slam” typically refers to a competition among poets. I first experienced spoken word poetry at a slam. I sat at the back of a packed auditorium and boo’ed when judges didn’t give performers sufficient scores. We gave standing ovations and laughed and screamed when performers exceeded the time limit. Non-competitive performances have the same energy. Audience members snap their fingers to express agreement or encourage the poet.
You might think that spoken word poetry should be loud, energetic, rhythmic, rhyming, controversial, personal, or political. It can be, of course, but that’s only one style. Poets should experiment with diverse techniques and themes. Write about activism, family, frustration, love, your favorite science fiction show, or the deplorable oatmeal in your school’s cafeteria. Spoken word poetry can be loud or soft, fast or slow. Poets can create powerful performances by raising or lowering their voices, rhyming, or stopping. Restrictions don’t apply.
What is SLASH?
SLASH will be a weekly feature on the HASH website. It will feature work from its readers and the HASH staff. It will also present interviews, articles, and posts about effective strategies for creating and performing spoken word. Readers: we will accept video (to be featured on HASH’s YouTube page) or sound recordings of spoken word poetry. Please see the “spoken word” category on HASH’s submission page for details.
“SLASH” is mashup of “slam” and “HASH,” but the word “slash” also indicates two separate ideas, which suggests the union of writing and performance. SLASH has a simple goal: to bring spoken word poetry to new audiences across the world. I grew up in a small town and didn’t learn about spoken word until I was a teenager. Many people lack opportunities to experience live performances. I want to bring spoken word to HASH’s readers and encourage writers to explore this form. I want to challenge you to experiment, invent, and share your spoken word performances with the world.
Abigail Rampone, SLASH Columnist
slashcolumn@gmail.com
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