Slam Rules

​The judges will score each performance on a scale from 0.0 to 10.0. If we have a full set of five judges, the highest and lowest scores are dropped and the three scores in the middle are added together. The sum of the middle three scores is your score for the round.

Sign-up is an open sign-up and is first-come-first-serve. If you have performed before, you may be added to a waiting list and will be included in the evening’s slam if there are no new slammers.

You have three minutes to perform one poem in each round, unless otherwise informed of a special time limit. Poems written in parts (i.e. eight haiku about winter) are allowed if they are performed as one piece. For certain competitions the time limit is changed; this will be announced in advance.

After three minutes and a ten second grace period, your overall score will be penalized, meaning half a point will be deducted for every ten seconds you go over, starting at 3:10. For example: if your performance is 3:09:59, you are in the clear. If it is 3:10, 0.5 points will be subtracted from your score, if it reaches 3:20, 1 point will be subtracted, and so on.

You cannot use props, costumes, or musical accompaniment. Any item that you do not require to perform is considered a prop. Wear whatever clothes you choose, but if they are obviously tied to your piece (eg. wearing a TARDIS onesie for a poem about how much you love Doctor Who), or if you reference them in your piece (eg. saying "I love these glasses" or pointing at your t-shirt while mentioning it), that is a prop violation. Any accessibility devices such as Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices are allowed.

You cannot use any musical instruments or recorded music for your performance. You can beat box, make arm pit noises, whistle, or sing. You cannot break out the kazoo or bring a beat loop. Feel free to incorporate any sounds that you can make with your body alone. Any accessibility devices such as Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices are allowed.

Your poem and performance will be judged by five randomly selected judges before the show. Judges are not required or expected to have any experience with poetry or slams. Every effort is made to select a diverse group of judges that preferably do not have any connections to any of the competing poets. If a poet has a problem with any of the judges selected, they should notify the host before the competition begins.

No Nudity. (Sorry)

Poets must perform original work. No covers.

Team pieces are allowed at Urban Legends in the first round! This means that you can perform a collaborative poem with one other poet in round one. Both poets will receive the same score, but will compete as separate competitors in round two.