How to Recite a Poem Like an Expert

How to Recite a Poem Like an Expert

Follow these instructions:

1. Get a PRINTED copy of the poem.

2. Look for the voice of the poem, and speak in that voice. Get INSPIRED by readings on youtube. There are very good ones. LISTEN to them carefully as you fix your eyes on your poem.

3. Look at the poem and READ it out LOUD. Proceed at a natural pace. It’s Okay to YELL when you recite a poem!

4. You'll need to memorize some parts to FEEL CONFIDENT: Turn it over so you can’t see it. Recite as much of it as you can remember, from the beginning.

5. Project to the audience. Capture the attention of everyone.

Tips:

1. Make sure you know how to pronounce every word in your poem. ...
2. Line breaks are a defining feature of poetry.

Other Ways to Recite a Poem While it’s okay to just YELL when you recite a poem, here are several other things you can do that might make it even better: Look for the voice of the poem, and speak in that voice. In other words, if it’s a poem about a cowboy, see if you can put on a cowboy accent. If it’s a poem about a monster, try using the scariest monster voice you can. If it’s a poem about a baby, an old person, or just some crazy character, think of what that person might sound like and try to speak in their voice. Rap the poem. Some poems have a rhythm built into the words. When you’re read a jump-rope rhyme, or any other rhythmical poem, you may find that it’s suitable for rapping. If you want to have even more fun with it, try reciting it to a drum beat or to music. Watch this video for an example how I recite poems to music: http://youtu.be/CkoOSfNjc40 Recite it with a friend. Many poems have more than one voice. That is, a poem might have different speaking parts – such as the narrator, a mother or father, a teacher, a child, etc. – making it easy to split up and be read by two or more people. Even if it’s not, perhaps you and a friend could take turns reading every other line. Put on a play. If a poem tells a small story, you can perform it in much the same way that you can perform a play. You can create sets and props, and even wear costumes. Make it a drama! Or a comedy! Or a musical! Visit this link for an example of how a poem can be turned into a play: http://youtu.be/Meyq2pgCG-g Run around, wave your hands, say it like you mean it. Don’t just limit yourself to the ideas I’ve given above. Recite the poem in any way that seems best to you. If that means sitting in a chair, or jumping up and down, or stomping back and forth, or even dancing, that’s okay. Just put some feeling into it and “read it like you mean it” to give the best performance you can. VIA http://www.poetry4kids.com/