Event Name: Poetry Performance
Location: Southern Cross Burwood – Drama Studio
Section Number: 66
Important Information for Attachments:
It is a requirement of this section that a PDF of the poem be provided prior to the performance date. The Eisteddfod Team acknowledges that entrants may not have the poem ready at the point of registration, and have allowed additional time for these to be prepared. Any entrant who chooses not to attach their poem of choice at the point of submitting their registration must ensure their PDF is provided to the Eisteddfod Team by Thursday 25 March 2027. A 5 point deduction will be applied to any entry with no provided speech after that date.
Section Guidelines:
Time stipulations – Performances must not exceed the maximum times of:
Year 3-6 (ages 7-12): 3 minutes
Year 7-10 (ages 12-16): 4 minutes
Year 11-12 (ages 16-18): 5 minutes
If a section is merged across year levels/age, entrants must adhere to the specific time stipulation of their year level/age.
The Poetry section covers performing a pre-existing poem or an original poem. Styles could include slam poetry, ballads, sonnets, haiku, free verse, epic, etc.
1 piece only to be performed.
Repertoire for original poetry must be written by the entrant, representing the authentic voice of the entrant. If an entrant has performed in this section in other years, the piece must be different than previously performed.
If performing a published poem, please ensure the PDF copy you provide notes the original source material and poet.
The piece being performed must be provided to the Eisteddfod team by COB Thursday 25 March 2027, if you choose to not include your chosen poem at time of registration.
Performers will be required to introduce the title of the poem, give a brief 30 second introduction as to why they chose or wrote this poem, and recite one poem appropriate for a performance. The poem should be at least one minute in length.
Students will recite their chosen poem from memory, to enable them to connect with the audience. Students may use palm cards or their phone as a prompt if needed if reciting an original slam poem.
Pieces should be representative of the style and flair of the poem eg. ballad, slam poetry etc.
Performances may include languages other than English where it is contextual and therefore, can be readily understood by a diverse audience. Translations must be provided as part of the submitted poem in the format of PDF.
Use of offensive language will be penalised, and the performance may be stopped. The content of the script must be appropriate to the age of the performer and for a school age audience.
Costumes are not required – school uniforms, neat performance wear or theatre blacks are preferred. If choosing to wear a costume, it must be appropriate for the general public.
Judging Criteria:
- Realise and sustain the role of speaker, focus and poetic delivery.
- Choice, appropriateness and delivery of the poem.
- Impact and rapport in relation to style.
- Original work performed representing the voice of the poet.
- Timing: control of delivery, responses to punctuation cues, awareness of rhythms, pace.
- Control of movement, vocal dynamics, energy, tension.
- Clear intent and appropriate relationship with the audience in the context of the performance space.
- Integrity, originality and clarity in analysis, interpretation and presentation of either the pre existing or original material.
Immediate Point Deductions:
- 2 point deduction per 20 seconds over time.
- 2 point deduction for heavy reliance on script/text and lack of engagement with the audience.
- 2 point deduction for reading the 30 second personal response before the performance.
- 5 point deduction for a poem not submitted by or changed after the registration extension date.
- 100% point deduction for use of any swearing or “slurs”.