Spoken Word and Poetry – What is the difference?

One of the most interesting and meaningful ways to express yourself as a writer and artist is through poetry. Writing itself is a great way to express yourself and poetry is one of the most beautiful ways to do so. But, there is also another term in writing that is often thought to be the synonym for poetry – spoken word. Though their essence is to help you express yourself, they are very different in fact. 

So, what exactly is the difference between Spoken Word and Poetry?

As any of art and writing, its essence is to help you express yourself. To say that spoken word and poetry are the same is the same as saying that painting and sculpturing are the same. Though they serve a similar purpose, the way they do so is very different. The same principle goes to spoken word and poetry. 

When we say poetry – immediately you think of a hidden meaning between the lines that are left for your interpretation. If you go to poetry readings, you know that there are often breaks between lines. Those breaks serve to give you a moment and think about what has been said and let those words and their many meanings sink into you. A poem can be read multiple times and each time you can find many different meanings to the very same poem.

When it comes to spoken word, they are written with the audience in mind and their reaction. There aren’t hidden meanings, and the references are easier to catch and rely on. When there is a break between lines, it’s more to see the audience’s response to your previous line than to let the words sink in because there is no need for those words to sink in – they are clear as well as their meaning.

While they do have their similarities, they serve a different way of expressing yourself and different purposes. Poetry is more personal, it contains the artist's thoughts and emotions while spoken word does contain the artist's thoughts and emotions, it’s written in a way that will provoke a reaction from the audience – much like live theater.