Friday, September 20, 2019

Christchurch Poetry Slam 2019 - The Rules



Here are the official rules of the Christchurch Poetry Slam as per the NZ Poetry Slam.
Sign-up is on the night only - places are limited to 12 participants so get there early.



Rules for NZ Poetry Slam



  • 3 minutes or less with no minimum time (10 second grace period before points deduction)

  • Time starts when poet speaks, however while poets can have time to settle and adjust microphone etc, this time is not limitless; ideally a poet should start before 10 seconds.

  • Original (i.e. your own) poems only

  • No props no music no costumes (i.e. clothing related to the content of your poem)

  • In the case of a tie a slam-off will be required

  • Random draw, for performance order.
 
Judging and scoring:


  • 5 Audience Judges (chosen by MC and/or organiser) display score cards 0-10 (Decimal points allowed)

  • Top and bottom scores drop off and total of remaining 3 scores is the total

  • If Poet goes over grace period MC or Timekeeper to ask scorer to mark down points after the judges score… (Half a point penalty for every 10 seconds over time)

  • After 4 minutes the MC can shut down the poet

  • 'Sacrificial Poet' (non-competing) to start the night, to help calibrate scores.

  • Slams are equally about writing, performance and audience response.

  • Slammers should have at least 3 poems, as there will be three rounds for the Regionals and NZ Slam
As always, remember: the point is the poetry not the points!