Write Speak Inspire League WSIL
WSIL is a Spoken Word (Slam) team competition. It serves as an integral experience for schools participating in the Generation Verb workshops. Slams are held during the Fall, Winter, and Spring semesters.
How it Works
Competitions will be between a Host School and a Visiting School. Each school’s team will be made up of 4 poets.
The slam consists of 4 rounds, where each team takes turns performing. Judges give scores after each poem.
All participating schools will be scheduled to host and travel to other schools an even amount of time. For all Rules & Regulations, please see below.
Write Speak Inspire League
WSIL
How it Works
WSIL is a Spoken Word (Slam) team competition. It serves as an integral experience for schools participating in the Generation Verb workshops. Slams are held during the Fall, Winter, and Spring semesters.
Competitions will be between a Host School and a Visiting School. Each school’s team will be made up of 4 poets.
The slam consists of 4 rounds, where each team takes turns performing. Judges give scores after each poem.
All participating schools will be scheduled to host and travel to other schools an even amount of time. For all Rules & Regulations, please see below.
Rules & Regulations
I. League Membership
– Schools enrolled in the Generation Verb workshop series are invited into the league.
– One team per school, 4 poets per team.
– Poets are selected by both the Generation Verb Facilitator and the Classroom Teacher at their discretion.
– Schools enrolled in the Generation Verb workshop series are invited into the league.
– One team per school, 4 poets per team.
– Poets are selected by both the Generation Verb Facilitator and the Classroom Teacher at their discretion.
II. Scoring & Judging
– Judges score on a scale of 0.0 (lowest) to 10.0 (highest), decimal points included.
– Judges base their scores upon the writing and performance of the poem.
– There are three (3) judges per match. Each judge shares their score directly after every poem. The sum of the three (3) judges’ scores, is the total points awarded to the poet for the round.
– There are four rounds per match, both teams get one poem per round.
– Winners are determined by majority rounds won and highest total accumulated points (in case of a tie).
– Judges score on a scale of 0.0 (lowest) to 10.0 (highest), decimal points included.
– Judges base their scores upon the writing and performance of the poem.
– There are three (3) judges per match. Each judge shares their score directly after every poem. The sum of the three (3) judges’ scores, is the total points awarded to the poet for the round.
– There are four rounds per match, both teams get one poem per round.
– Winners are determined by majority rounds won and highest total accumulated points (in case of a tie).
III. Time Limit
– Each poet has four (4) minutes to perform.
– Each poet has four (4) minutes to perform.
IV. No Repeat Rule
Each poet or team must perform a different poem in each round.
Each poet or team must perform a different poem in each round.
V. No Props Rule
No props or objects may be used to enhance a performance. A bottle of water is acceptable.
No props or objects may be used to enhance a performance. A bottle of water is acceptable.
VI. No Paper Rule
Reading from paper or electronic devices is discouraged. Performers may still present, but 0.5 points will be deducted from their total score.
Reading from paper or electronic devices is discouraged. Performers may still present, but 0.5 points will be deducted from their total score.
VII. No Profanity Rule
Profanity is prohibited. Poets are expected to express themselves creatively and respectfully without offensive language.
Profanity is prohibited. Poets are expected to express themselves creatively and respectfully without offensive language.
I. League Membership
– Schools enrolled in the Generation Verb workshop series are invited into the league.
– One team per school, 4 poets per team.
– Poets are selected by both the Generation Verb Facilitator and the Classroom Teacher at their discretion.
– Schools enrolled in the Generation Verb workshop series are invited into the league.
– One team per school, 4 poets per team.
– Poets are selected by both the Generation Verb Facilitator and the Classroom Teacher at their discretion.
II. Scoring & Judging
– Judges score on a scale of 0.0 (lowest) to 10.0 (highest), decimal points included.
– Judges base their scores upon the writing and performance of the poem.
– There are three (3) judges per match. Each judge shares their score directly after every poem. The sum of the three (3) judges’ scores, is the total points awarded to the poet for the round.
– There are four rounds per match, both teams get one poem per round.
– Winners are determined by majority rounds won and highest total accumulated points (in case of a tie).
– Judges score on a scale of 0.0 (lowest) to 10.0 (highest), decimal points included.
– Judges base their scores upon the writing and performance of the poem.
– There are three (3) judges per match. Each judge shares their score directly after every poem. The sum of the three (3) judges’ scores, is the total points awarded to the poet for the round.
– There are four rounds per match, both teams get one poem per round.
– Winners are determined by majority rounds won and highest total accumulated points (in case of a tie).
III. Time Limit
– Each poet has four (4) minutes to perform.
– Each poet has four (4) minutes to perform.
IV. No Repeat Rule
Each poet or team must perform a different poem in each round.
Each poet or team must perform a different poem in each round.
V. No Props Rule
No props or objects may be used to enhance a performance. A bottle of water is acceptable.
No props or objects may be used to enhance a performance. A bottle of water is acceptable.
VI. No Paper Rule
Reading from paper or electronic devices is discouraged. Performers may still present, but 0.5 points will be deducted from their total score.
Reading from paper or electronic devices is discouraged. Performers may still present, but 0.5 points will be deducted from their total score.
VII. No Profanity Rule
Profanity is prohibited. Poets are expected to express themselves creatively and respectfully without offensive language.
Profanity is prohibited. Poets are expected to express themselves creatively and respectfully without offensive language.
Beyond the League
Publishing
Students are published in our annual anthology, showcasing their original poetry and documenting their growth as writers.
Showcases
Each semester, students can perform for their peers, celebrating their work and inspiring others. These performances occur at the end of both the Fall and Spring semesters and highlight the transformative power of spoken word poetry.
Renowned Poets
Schools in the league host guest appearances by local or national poets. These sessions provide inspiration, mentorship, and insight into the professional world of performance and literary arts.
Exploring Literary Heritage
Students visit historic institutions of literary significance, such as libraries, museums, or landmarks tied to iconic writers and poets. These visits deepen their understanding of the literary world and its rich history.
Beyond the League
Publishing
Students are published in our annual anthology, showcasing their original poetry and documenting their growth as writers.
Showcases
Each semester, students can perform for their peers, celebrating their work and inspiring others. These performances occur at the end of both the Fall and Spring semesters and highlight the transformative power of spoken word poetry.
Renowned Poets
Schools in the league host guest appearances by local or national poets. These sessions provide inspiration, mentorship, and insight into the professional world of performance and literary arts.
Exploring Literary Heritage
Students visit historic institutions of literary significance, such as libraries, museums, or landmarks tied to iconic writers and poets. These visits deepen their understanding of the literary world and its rich history.
© 2025-26 Generation Verb
© 2025-26 Generation Verb