1. Write a letter. When I was in grade school, the teacher once asked us to write a letter to anyone who is no longer with us. Slam poetry allows me to take that topic even a step further. Try writing a letter to someone who has either passed or is no longer in your life.

2. I'm sorry. Think about words and sentiments that are tough for you to say. For me its things like "I'm sorry" and "I love you". Write a slam poem about those words and why it’s so hard to get them out - this usually proliferates some deeper issues and can really take you on a journey.

3. Religion. This is a difficult one - approach with caution. It doesn't matter if the poem is for or against religion, or if it’s about a ramification of a religion - actually, religion can probably lead to a series of poems.

4. Social Issues. This topic can cover a wide range of sub-topics such as racism, hunger, economy, government, homosexuality, addiction, birth control/abortion, euthanasia, suicide, poverty. OK, so this slam poetry topic is actually dozens of slam poetry topics - which means you have so much opportunity to expand on this! Here's a piece of advice - try to avoid blanket statements with no personal experience or factual backing. Broad statements like "our government is killing our youth" really don't mean anything. But they will catch attention - so if you use it, back it up!

5. An incident that shaped you or changed you. Were you ever bullied? Ever have a conversation where someone spoke just one line that impacted everything you've ever done since? Ever seen a movie that influenced and really impacted the way you live? These are great moments to expand upon in a slam poem.

6. Love. The most utilized topic in the history of poetry, yet still to this day a love poem is an art that is marveled upon. What's great about love poems, when done correctly and in spoken word form, is they take the shape and persona of the artist. So its not always gushy - it could be funny, it could be erotic, heck, sometimes its downright raunchy, it also doesn't have to be about someone; you can write about how you love something.

7. The Biography. Pick a person that has been a part of your life. It can be someone as close as family, as distant as a sports superstar, or as instantaneous as a passing stranger. Use the person that's in your head right now. Start your poem with the reasons you thought of that person. Be more abstract. Talk about the influence, talk about why it bubbles within you.

8. Frustration or Anger. I know it’s just me, but these tend to be my favorites. It gives an opportunity to just go off on something! It could be about sitting in traffic, losing an argument, not being able to prove your innocence, a divorce in the family, someone or something you loathe - the list can go on forever. Whatever you choose to vent on, be sure to hit the analogies and verbs hard in this one - oh, and alliteration goes a long way as well! You'll probably feel a lot better after you write this poem, and each time you perform it a relive the emotion will actually help make you a stronger person.

9. The Story. Pick an event in your life, and make it a dramatic one if possible. Get in a fight? Witness a fight or crime? Cut class? Almost die? Car crash? Keep on thinking and see what images come to mind - you can even make one up if it’s a topic of interest. What usually happens in that case is your own truth gets tied into it.

Source: https://blogs.ubc.ca/sbansi/files/2016/04/Slam-Poem-Topics-L10.pdf

No Strict Rhyme Scheme:  While other poetry may adhere to a strict rhyme structure, the same is not true for Slam Poetry. It is not the case that Slam Poetry is required to rhyme in any way. This free-verse style is based on poetry from the Beat Generation, particularly Allen Ginsberg.  It emphasises the innate musicality of words rather than adhering to any strict rhyme scheme. Rhyming might be used at times to emphasise certain sections of the poem over others but is not a necessity as it is in other forms of poetry. 

Freedom from Structure:  Other poetic structures like the sonnet, limerick, or haiku have extremely strict rules on how to structure a poem of that kind. Sonnets must be fourteen lines. Limericks must have a very specific rhyme scheme and rhythm.  Haiku have a certain strict amount of syllables across three lines. None of this is true for Slam Poetry. Stanzas can be of any length, have any amount of syllables and contain any kind of rhyme scheme or none at all.  However, it is important to acknowledge that Slam Poetry has the physical structure of performance. This means that it might have to fit into a particular time frame or use words that strengthen the spoken voice over the printed page. The only structure your poem needs is the structure of the stage. 

Political Messaging:  Because of Slam Poetry’s roots in the Negritude Movement and the Harlem Renaissance, most Slam Poetry makes some kind of political statement. This can include themes of Racism, Feminism and LGBT+ issues.   Slam Poetry is about making a statement. It is your chance to express your opinion on the issues facing society. 

Emotion:  One of the most recognisable elements of Slam Poetry is its highly emotional content. The oral performance aspect of Slam Poetry allows a space for the poet to be highly vulnerable and express their deepest emotions. Emotion can also come from the content, especially if you choose a political issue you are particularly passionate about. 

Originality:  Most Slam Poetry events take place in crowded bars or coffee shops. Some even take place outside in parks.  While this does mean poetry is more accessible to the general public, it also means that you will be competing with people ordering drinks, coffee machines brewing and even the elements of nature themselves. For your poem to be heard, to be noticed, over the humdrum of everyday life, you have to make it stand out.  You can do this by painting a vivid picture with your words, employing a unique sounding rhyme scheme or structure. Do the best you can to stand out without descending into the melodrama that Slam poetry is so often accused of. 

Performance:  Slam Poetry is, first and foremost, an act of performance. Slam Poets pay attention to the way the words sound, feel and how they echo in a crowded room. Words are chosen for their weight and emotional impact.  Metaphors, similes and all other poetic devices are constructed to both disturb and comfort the audience. Slam poets know that the audience’s encounter with the poem is as fleeting as the spoken word.

Source: https://pickmeuppoetry.org/what-is-slam-poetry-a-beginners-guide/

1. Pick a Topic, Choose a Feeling.

It can be useful to focus your poem on only one theme which invokes a single emotion. Pick something that you are passionate about, and then think about how it makes you feel. The emotion will help you frame the issue you are passionate about in a particular way.  For example, if you are interested in Environmental Issues, you might infuse your poem with the anger you feel when people do not take Climate Change seriously, and your poem can be a call to action.  Or maybe nature makes you happy, and your poem can talk about the beauty of the natural world, which will inspire people to think about their own relationship with nature.

2. Consider which poetic devices to use. 

While Slam Poetry does not require the use of conventional poetic devices, they are still a useful tool to have. Rhyme and meter can help you measure out how your poem will sound when it is recited. Metaphors and similes can help you paint a vivid picture for your audience.  How you use these poetic devices are up to you. There are many more to choose from, cut up and combine however you wish. The only limit is your imagination and the three-minute long time limit that is usually set for performances of Slam Poetry.

3. Remember your poetry is meant to be performed.

Slam poetry completely removes poetry from the prison of the page. This means that it does not matter how the poem looks like on the page. What matters is what it sounds like on stage. This means that while you write it, you should consider how you are going to perform it.  Think about the inflexions you want your voice to take or the rhythm you want to set. Consider how you want to use your body as you perform. Do you want to move your hands a lot? Do you want to pace or standstill? Do you want to tap out a rhythm on your chest or legs?  While it is not always required, it is often encouraged for you to learn your poem from memory. After all, Slam Poetry was meant to free poetry from the page. Holding up a book or even your phone can obstruct your face and dull your voice.  It takes something out of the performance. This can be difficult. If you are a beginner or just unsure, consider writing shorter poems that pack a big punch instead of longer poems you might struggle to memorise.

4. Be Original, Be Relatable.

This might seem like contradictory advice. What it means is that if you are sincere, if you speak honestly about your own experiences, chances are that there will be people in the audience that will empathise with you. They might even have experienced the same thing as you have.  This is a good way to write poetry and an excellent way to make friends. Slam Poetry is all about community. No poet is an island, and you are never as alone in your experiences as you might think. Speak to your audience honestly, and they will listen.

5. Practice, Perform, and Persist

Here’s a hard truth: there is also the chance that your poem might bomb. This can happen to anyone, even people who have been performing Slam Poetry for years. There is always room for improvement and that is a very good thing. Life would be boring if it was stagnant.  This means that the true mark of being a good poet is continuing to improve no matter what. You will never truly be done learning how to do Slam Poetry. So, practice your poem at home, perform it as many times as you want, and above all never ever give up.

Source: https://pickmeuppoetry.org/what-is-slam-poetry-a-beginners-guide/

Source: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/sarah-kay