• Print-outs of the poems to be read aloud
• Poetry anthologies suitable for youth (see Find Out More for suggestions)
• Paper and pencils or computer and printer for writing during the workshop
• Newsprint and markers

• Familiarize yourself with the poem(s) you will read aloud, so that you can deliver them smoothly. Be prepared to model a heartfelt performance of poetry.

Participants listen to and watch the leader read poems aloud, read the printed text of the poems to themselves, and compare the experiences.

Before you read a poem aloud, ask participants to observe their own reactions as audience members and be prepared to share their responses at the end of the exercise.

Read a poem aloud. Then hand out the printed text of the poem and ask participants to read it silently to themselves. When they are finished reading, read the poem aloud a second time. Repeat the process for two to four different poems.

Using these questions as prompts, lead a discussion of how voiced poetry differs from poetry on the printed page:

• How does hearing a poem in the presence of other people differ from reading it silently to yourself? Which did you prefer, and why?
• Do certain kinds of poems lend themselves to reading aloud? What features does a poem need to be a good candidate for reading aloud?
• Do certain words jump out at you when you listen to a poem? By contrast, what makes you notice certain words when you read a poem?
• When someone reads or performs the poem aloud, what makes for good delivery of the poem? Is a highly dramatic rendering inherently better than a simple reading, or not? Does it depend on the poem?

Encourage participants to keep their observations about spoken poetry in mind as they prepare a Poetry Slam for an audience.