TIPS ON RECITING

STARTING AND FINISHING

Start your recitation with the title of the poem and the poet’s name:

‘A dream within a dream’ by Edgar Allan Poe

Then begin your recitation.

Once you’ve finished your recitation say “thank you” and walk away.


PHYSICAL PRESENCE

Establish a strong stage presence by practising the following:

• Use good posture. Look confident.
• Use eye contact with the entire audience. Don’t focus only on the judges.
• Avoid Nervous gestures, poor eye contact with the audience.
• Relax and be natural.

VOICE AND ARTICULATION

Use your voice to make the poem come alive for the audience.

•         Capture the attention of everyone.
•         Don’t yell for good projection.
•         Proceed at a natural pace. Avoid reciting too quickly or too slowly.
•         Make sure you know how to pronounce every word in your poem.     
•         Let your voice rise and fall with the poem.
•         Decide how long a pause to use for each punctuation mark.
•         Avoid mispronouncing words.
•        Avoid being too loud or too quiet.

INTERPRETATION

When you recite, you’re more like a narrator than an actor.

• Do not act out the poem. Too much dramatization distracts from the language of the poem.
•  Depending on the poem, occasional gestures may be appropriate.
•  Make sure each poem you choose is one that speaks to you. If you are able to connect with a poem

EVIDENCE OF UNDERSTANDING

If you don’t understand your poem, neither will your audience.

• You must understand the poem fully. Be attentive to the meaning of your poem.
• Be sure you know the meaning of every word and line in your poem. Double-check any words that are new to you.
•  Research your poem and discuss it with your teacher. Once you understand your poem, you can prepare your recitation.

 ACCURACY

•   Be sure to memorize your poem exactly as it appears in the list of poems.   But also be sure you understand the poem.

 Enjoy your poem!

Video examples:

Tips taken from:
www.poetryoutloud.org

www.poetryinvoice.com