Guelph Spoken Word
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Slam Rules

Go in, poet!

  • Each poet must perform work for which they are the primary author.
  • No props (Referencing or using ANYTHING that is not available to all poets).
  • No costumes (Wearing clothing or accessories that are obviously meant to accentuate a poem or that are worn to enhance a specific performance).
  • No musical accompaniment or musical instruments.
  • Poets who use props, costumes or musical accompaniment will be deducted 2 points.
  • Poets have 3 minutes and a grace period of 10 seconds to perform their poem, after which time 0.5 points will be deducted for every 10 seconds or part thereof that they go over.
  • A poet’s time starts as soon as they engage the audience. This includes any introduction.
  • Group poems are encouraged.
  • There will be one sacrificial poet to calibrate the judges before the 1st round.
  • The order that the poets will compete in each round will be drawn randomly.
  • The slam is two rounds. The top four poets from the 1st round will compete in the 2nd round.

Scores

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Of the scores the poet receives from the five randomly selected judges, the high and low scores are dropped and the middle three are added together, giving the poet a total score of 30. Poets 1st round and 2nd round scores will be added together for an accumulative score out of 60.

Once each slam has come to a conclusion a final overall ranking based on the poet's accumulative scores and previous ranks is given. 
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  • Home
  • About
  • Events
    • Guelph Poetry Slam
    • Off the Page Open Mic
    • Indigenous Creative Writer's Circle
    • Workshops
  • Book-A-Poet
  • Donate
  • Contact