Alyna’s True Feelings for the Traditional PVS Poetry Recitation
At Palm Valley school, it is mandatory for grades 3rd to 12th to participate in the Poetry Recitation once a year. Basically what students have to do is memorize a poem, recite it in front of their classmates and judges–who determine which students go on to the next round. The number of lines is different for each grade, but when you’re in high school, you most likely memorize at least 13-14 lines. This is usually the time of year where I want to disappear as I hate having to speak in front of people.
Why do I hate the Poetry Recitation so much?
It’s not about having to memorize lines as a grade, or about projecting my voice for once. It’s about reciting my poem in front of the class. I hate speaking in front of the class, whether it is a presentation or even just a few words added to a discussion. I tend to stutter or stammer over my words when I have to speak for a period of time to a group of people. I am okay with speaking in front of very few people, but with a huge group of people? No thanks. Other people have other opinions about the Poetry Recitation. They say that they hate the judging, or that they don’t like memorizing 14 lines, or that they dislike making eye contact with an audience. Some even say they like the Poetry Recitation and the opportunity to advance to the nationwide Poetry Out Loud competition (looking at you, Indy Behr).
For me, I hate being in front of the class. The class is usually silent when I recite, and I feel all eyes on me. I hate that. I feel like all the eyes are just studying me.
Another solution?
I’m not saying that we should just not do the Poetry Recitation as I think it is a good way to have people practice enunciating words and expressing emotion. But, I feel that there can be one way we can switch it a little.
I’m fine with talking to judges, so talking to JUST judges would be nice. I remember seeing this in 9th grade when there would only be the student, the teacher, and the judges. That way, other students can focus on their poems–outside the competition room–without having to hear the person speaking.
I think that the Poetry Recitation is a nice way to get other students to practice speaking, but there is always going to be this tiny grudge in my chest that would always make me resent it. There should be options as to how to deliver a well-phrased poem.
An Opinion Penned by Junior Alyna Rei
I agree with you as a former sufferer of poetry recitation. Although public speaking is a great skill to have, the poetry recitation always felt like a poor way to practice it.
It is more of an exercise in theatric public speaking than presentational public speaking. If I were presenting something for a class or for work where I needed to engage and connect with an audience while also getting whatever point I have across, I would be laughed at if I tried to present it like I would a poem.
I would replace it an assignment requiring students to give a conversational presentation to their class on something they are passionate about (approved by the teacher, of course). There, students could learn the core tenets of what makes a good presentation as applicable to real situations. I.E don’t read a giant paragraph off slides while staring at the screen. Have a positive, conversational while speaking toward the audience, slow down and speak clearly, etc.