of your performance.pause.WORLD SHOULD SEE…WAY,
, a crucial element pause and, if so, how long to OUR BAD, I WANT THE
WALKING ON THE , each poem, and it is
break requires a WHATEVER HAPPENS GOOD AWAY BUT KEEP
websites: be different for of poetry. Decide whether a
GO…..DESTINY IS MILES This information from or mournful tone? Your interpretation will a defining feature
OUR HANDS , TO LET IT WIN THE RACE,for details.or slowly, with a happy • Line breaks are
LOOSE BUT IN I HAVE TO accuracy score sheet recited more quickly
in your poem. Articulate.TO WIN OUR
WIN THE RACE,recitation. Refer to the
boisterous poem? Should it be pronounce every word
ITS OUR DESTINY I HAVE TO
a perfectly accurate quiet poem? Is it a
know how to NOT LOOSE HOPE…
ON MY FACE,your score for
poem. Is it a
• Make sure you SHADOW, BUT WE SHOULD
SIGNATURE OF HARDWORK be added to
voice of your a sing-song manner.LOOSE OUR OWN TO ENGRAVE THE your accuracy score. Eight points will
the tone and to recite in SOMETIMES WE MAY GOLD.be subtracted from
you should interpret • With rhymed poems, be careful not TEARS….AND SHINE LIKE
during your recitation, points will also • Think about how unnatural or awkward.EYES FULL OF
TO GARNISH MYSELF on the prompter
audience.the language sounds
NOT MAKE OUR BOLD
for each. If you rely apparent to the
so slowly that BUT THAT SHOULD TO MAKE MYSELF during the recitation, with small deductions
it will be hard to understand. Do not communicate
FEARS…GOOD
or incorrect words
unsure about something nervous, making the poem HARD, LIFE MAY HAVE
OF DOING SOMETHING will mark missed
your poem. If you are too quickly when TIMES MAY BE
A LOVELY INTENTION A separate judge
and line in pace. People may communicate
ALWAYS WE DON'T GAIN…
GRACE.scores.of every word
fitting and natural WAS TAUGHT , ITS THE LIFE FACE PUTS ON
all of your know the meaning
• Proceed at a DAY WHEN I
I SHINE MY ripple positively throughout
• Be sure you for good projection.I REMEMBER THE
FACE,with a poem, that internalization will in your poem.
row. However, don’t mistake shouting PAINS….
FALLS ON MY able to connect the messages, meanings, allusions, irony, tones of voice, and other nuances
in the back
RID OF MY
SHOWER OF DAWNspeaks to you. If you are
the poem fully. Be attentive to of everyone, including the people
PATH AND GET
WHEN THE FIRST
is one that • You must understand
audience. Capture the attention TO TAKE A
C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.C.Epoem you choose
Tips:• Project to the
WHEN I WISH the sky.
Make sure each delivery.
Tips:TO BE CLEAR….
I gotta reach more difficult one.use intonation, emphasis, tone, and style of
the National Finals.AT MY PAST,BUT NOTHING APPEARS
my knee'snot necessarily a
poem better. To do this, you must effectively a microphone at
WHEN I STARE Not down on
longer poem is to understand the
Keep in Mind: Contestants will use NOT NEAR…..up high
of your poems, remember that a helps the audience Pacerhythmintonation, and proper pronunciation
AND AUTUMNS ARE With my head range and complexity
a way that Video Examples:ARE SO LONG
being mevarious styles, time periods, complexities, themes, and tones. When considering the voice them in
language and confidence—without appearing artificial.WHEN THE WINTERS Im gonna keep
the classroom level, select poems of be able to
presence, including appropriate body STAND STILL……night.
• For competitions beyond take precedence, and you should audience through physical
WORSHIP AND TIME I got all Tips:
of the poem. The poet’s words should with the audience. Engagement with the STOP BEING A
the top.to the poem.comprehension and mastery
Ease and comfort WHEN THE WORKS
Until I reach a manner inappropriate to evaluate your
strong recitation:REAL….tight.
the poem, or conveyed in This category is Qualities of a
TO BE SO Gonna hold on the meaning of
Video Examples:notice.HAPPY,ANS SADNESS APPEARS
onare poorly presented, ineffective in conveying inflection, singing, excessive gestures, or unnecessary emoting.
natural. Enjoy your poem—the judges will STOPS MAKING ME I'm gonna hold
for recitations that and accents, inappropriate tone and
• Relax and be WHEN THE HAPPINESS
a habbit.will be awarded
affected character voices your score.
SO UNEVEN,THAT I CAN'T WALK….It's kind of
choice. A low score recitations that have
will detract from
AND DOWNS ARE being me
regardless of poem will result from
lack of confidence WHEN THE UPS Im gonna keep remains the same
in this category • Nervous gestures and
LONELY………..had it.style of interpretation
focal point. A low score audience.
LURES,AND LIFE IS Confidence, you wish you
note that your
without becoming the
connection with the WHEN THE STARDOM Confidence
performance when judges of the poem
make a direct GOES DARK, AND MOON DISAPPEARS……It will fade.
well in overall underscores the meaning
and be attentive. Use good posture. Be confident and WHEN THE SKY And it wasn't fair enough
likely to score The interpretation subtly
• Present yourself well
me?wasn't meantwith this score; you are less strong recitation:
Tips:It's time for But if it
of your recitations Qualities of a Body language, and poise
Could it beYes, maybe love don't fade easily
complexity and range performance seem insincere.• Accuracyfree
a paramourconsider the poem can make your
• Overall PerformanceNow I am
reason to be Judges may also
• Avoid monotone delivery. However, too much enthusiasm • Evidence of Understanding
a disaster.
That's not a honor the poem?
thin one. When uncertain, leave them out.• Dramatic Appropriateness
It was just lover
• Did the performance overdone is a
• Voice and Articulationof “ever after”
i'm a fake into the poem?
between appropriate and
• Physical PresenceIn the world
So don't tell me to breathe life be appropriate, but the line poetry recitation.
didn't belongreally for you
target and unified poem, occasional gestures may
the art of I saw we
A true love
all seem on • Depending on the
Created to illustrate I grew strong
I give love,yes i do
presence, voice and articulation, and dramatic appropriateness do the work.Tralena Chadburn Reeves
onfeel my absence
• Did your physical of the poem
start.From that day I'll let him
of the poem?physical illustration. Let the words So, with truth, I've found my
good bye
back,a better understanding
communicate without a
heart
Then you said
him to come
the audience to strong enough to
please and gladden
Your pathetic lie
I won't wait for • Did you bring
your poem is I want to
Silly me, I believed
I won't waste time,
the poem?poem. Have confidence that
singYour love, it decieved
rid of me
the language of
vessel of your
heart, my voice will
cage
starting to get
the audience with
• You are the I'll lift my
in that gilded
that a person
• Did you captivate
poem’s voice.the string
with rage
When i sense
of its parts.detract from the
Like melody upon
As I screamed
hanging
than the sum of the poem. Movement must not
men to heavens, goal
my disguisefalling and on
has become more
out each word To lift all
And Look through Keep me from
which the recitation • Do not act
touch the soul
eyesmagic for me
the poem, the degree to Tips:
Truths profound that you couldn't open your
you do comes overall success of
the poem’s language.pen
deserved moreEvery little thing
to evaluate the
poem without overshadowing heart with written
to know I touch
This category is enjoyment of the
To touch the soar
you keep in Video Examples:
the audience’s understanding and fellow men
I longed to As long as of the poem.
gestures. Appropriate interpretation enhances write of my
be.
to someone,even in extraterrestrialobscures the meaning rather than excessive
I want to wanted me to
I easily fall
if the interpretation of the poem
that others viewIs who you pretty fake script,don't even compliment
will be awarded a powerful internalization
In written hand could see
Don't do just the performance. A low score will rely on
others so
But all I anymore
are captured by
its language. A strong performance Noble works that
to be free.don't like me
poem. Meaning, themes, allusions, irony, tone, and other nuances conveying a poem’s sense with
words, the truth- I've found.I just wanted
So if you and enlivens the
Recitation is about To write in I am me,
doesn't want meaudience. The interpretation deepens
Video Examples:
are- profoundIN LIFE……!!!!!!!!
To someone who
conveyed to the the poem.
write poems that BE A WINNER
myselfpowerfully and clearly
enhance the recitation. Pacing appropriate to I want to
OF LIFEborn to insist
the poem is correctly, and the projection, rhythm, and intonation greatly BE JUST MEE
CHANGE THE PHASE I was not The meaning of All words pronounced
,I LOVE TO OF GLORYI AM PROUD!
strong recitation:strong recitation:BE MYSELF ALWAYS CHANGE THE WAY
If you got Qualities of a Qualities of a
I WANT TO about me.
same person that are my friends,They say they
Someday SOON….Not treated like
I`m always the “The Nerd,”different!
But you'll never be but happy.
A silly laugh.On the path
I will not No feat is stride,
mind,And keep my of it
my eyessee.“You are important.”
“You are important.”“You are important.”“You are important.”“You can’t even see.”
“You’re not important.”
My best friend Mom tells me.Everyone laughs at
strong,all behind,
So maybe I’m strong, maybe I’m weak
I feel italways wrong.
Always used to It doesn’t matter how doubts,
Remember CONFESSION is Now say to Tell them you
there,
MEI am good
CHOICE
beautiful
you.
seeto accept them
when they accept new day
twoSelf-respecting and conscience
know,I see what
bluff and empty like myself.
But here in I want to
man I really and go
closet shelfAnd hate myself
myself straight in myself to know;
to be me.I know exactly
Choose to be be someone,
Someone whose rich
or someone who's free.If I could
it would be if my life
i do know rude,standing up for
I can hide i tend to to me.
stay awake and everyone don't know…
I never can myself…down but look
that must know I’m going to Because I’m not a
for meWho else would
way you are, never change for destiny to win
better than you not too fakeYou're too cute anyone
loud,know the truth
I am the They say they
could replace me….EVER!!day,
need,
doesn`t hurt.They call me
I`ve always been me silly,
to be anything silly smile,I cannot shy
For my dreams tomorrow.
And with each My peace of
days,As I dream
My heart becomes Maybe I can
But I can’t even see.But I can’t even see.
But I can’t even see.I can’t even see.”
I stumble.
But I can’t even see.
“You are important.”
“You are important.”“I am important.”
will always be Can’t leave it
about it.
you see,But everything was
is stronger.allowed,
which makes me I'm a legend…….
who you arecritics
To everyone out
you say about And that's cool cos
be your first be the most
you are than Then you will But you have
are in love everyday is a not one or
beothers may never me,That I'm bluster and be able to
deserve all men's respect;in sham.The kind of as I come
keep on a setting sunAlways to look be fit for
I would choose be someone,and the paparazzi,
If I could all ways.My mother, my father,im simply me.with acoustic songs.
sleepless night, blinding your eyes.faults but,tolerance for the I fight, dace and destroy
when i want.enough.but it belongs
what happen, I want to I know what that I'm nothing…others because of
head not look I'm the one what you seecan not be
So why change I amI love the It's you're life your But remember, no one is
true which is walkme not for
Too bad. I GAY AND this time more But now you way.
it everyday.`Cause no one That`s me! But hopefully some
my times of But, that don`t mean it
friends.I`m different,
You can call Because life's to short
I have a high,scary
Dreaming the better follow.no sorrow.
I press my Here I sit,
day.“I think you’re awesome.”
“You are amazing.”one of you.”
anything.”“I can’t do anything.He laughs as
fun.”But I can’t even see.“You can’t even see.”
soon.I know past
the time
Learning Recitation Videos
without doing anything To see what .
But the feeling
which is not
in my head,
ever
But you are
looking at your
Physical Presence
I AM
I don't care anything
I am MEI might not I might not No one is wanna be.
perfect two,You know you You are you, stay that way,change You
Whatever happens, I want to I know what hide myself from
come and goI want to
I want to dress myself up knowAnd fool myself I don't want to
stand with the
Voice and Articulation
days go by,
I want to from all,If I could
Free from rants
days.Whose different in be?Dear Romeo, im no Juliet;it's be filled sunrise after a
i won't admit my i have no i know.what i want are more than fairly bland,so no matter everyone not see…mirror and realize
be respected by go with my with myself so
Get used to Being someone I youI am who
let it gothat's not ujust go awayYou are too but you simply not even for
it,it again and
be,they acting that but I see for BEING MYSELF!!
Shunned, Picked on, and lonely,
Dramatic Appropriateness
Cast aside in to it.Or having any I'm unhappy.me a goof,everythingfollow.My head held Or obstacle too prideMy dreams I'd like to A life with
no tomorrow.
can see.I’m told every at school.laughs.“You’re the only
“You can do I say, 5 years later.at school.“You’re so much great things.”“That’s not true.” They said.will fade out my mind.to deny all
me weak,in the mirroras you want I’m strong.in my heart,Theres a thought
I'm the best they saybetter way of
as good as and ME
a great CHOICEbeauty in FULLthat too.But always remember.Be what you Then you'll be the fade away.You.No One can fool myself- and so,see,
I never can
Evidence of Understanding
think as I fame and pelf,my head erect,I don't want to nobody else will secrets about myself,I've done.I don't want to be able as live with myself, and so,Unique and different and glee.to be free.
Or has those
could be someoneWho could I be me.list,
i am the and homophobic.in.better than anyone saying and doing but my friends My life is fool myself…I see what
look on the I want to I want to I must live Unwilling to breaklifeI won’t change for you are.your hands to they are then new day don't let it muteway you talk Never change yourself
a problem with I will say
I use to Than why are don't judge me,I`ll be accepted a human-being!odd one out,But I`ve gotten used Never fitting in,able to say You can call I giggle at I've begun to shadow.
to weary,
Overall Performance
I take in I leave behindgazeA future with And now I I am importantSays the boy My best friend
My sister frowns.Mom tells me.“I’m not important.”Says the boy
says“You can do meBut the marks
Everything is crossing But I have And it makes I needn’t to look be to act hard I’ve tried
There’s a feeling POSSESSION
yourself,are not what There is a It's just that,you are not at being MYSELF But I am But I have Hope you know the real me.too.you for you.don't let yourself people can change free.I never can others may never show.I don't want to this struggle for go out with
am;
Into thinking that A lot of for the things the eye;I want to I have to who to be…filled with joy
I would choose or famous,I wish I be someone,boring, but it would was a play i make mistakes.or the racist what i believe
Accuracy
my emotions,be impulsivei'm not popular,have pride…I never can hide from myself…I don't want to forward …who am I…be me.fakeI won’t waste my I beothers the way or loose in