Poetry Out Loud helps students improve public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn great poetry in literature.
High schools get involved now in Poetry Out Loud, a local, state, and national poetry recitation competition.
Registration is open for the 2020–2021 school year.
For more information, please email pol@atlantahistorycenter.com.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, the National Endowment for the Arts encourages all participating Poetry Out Loud educators and organizers to conduct virtual competitions for the 2020-2021 season. This is driven from the current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the safety of all individuals (students, educators, parents, etc.) involved in POL.
All 2020 -2021 Georgia POL events will be held virtually.
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 – Registration opens
Friday, December 18, 2020 – Registration closes
Friday, February 5, 2021 – Deadline to hold school competitions and select school champion
Saturdays, February 6 and 13, 2021 – Virtual Regional Workshops – more information regarding structure, time, logistics, etc., is forthcoming
Monday, February 22, 2021 – Deadline for school champions to submit recitation videos for Virtual Regional Competitions
Friday, February 26, 2021 – State Finalists announcement
Saturday, March 6, 2021 – Virtual State Finals Workshop – more information regarding structure, time, logistics, etc., is forthcoming
Saturday, March 13, 2021 – Live Virtual Georgia 2021 Poetry Out Loud State Finals Competition – more information regarding structure, time, logistics, etc., is forthcoming
The 2020 State Finals Competition was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, Georgia was able to hold its first ever virtual competition and select a state champion. Congratulations to the new Georgia Poetry Out Loud Champion, Grayson Nour from Whitefield Academy! The 2020 National Finals was also canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Poetry Out Loud is an innovative program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance of the written word. It incorporates the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into English and drama classes. Poetry Out Loud, which began in 2005, helps students improve public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about the role great poetry plays in literature.
In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and Georgia Council for the Arts, the Margaret Mitchell House (Atlanta History Center’s Midtown campus) administers Poetry Out Loud for the state of Georgia. Functioning much like a spelling bee, the Poetry Out Loud competition uses a pyramid structure that begins in the classroom. Winners of each classroom recitation competition advance to a school-wide contest, then each school’s top winner goes to a semi-final, regional competition. Finalists from these semi-final competitions will advance to compete in a regional competition. Finalists from each regional competition will be selected to advance on to State competition. Finally, one Georgia winner will compete at the National Final in Washington, D.C.
High-Stakes Poetry Competition Brings Students to the Stage
Art Talk with 2017 Poetry Out Loud National Champion Samara Elán Huggins
High School Student wins $20,000 and the title of 2017 Poetry Out Loud National Champion
2020 Judges Guide
POL Accessibility in the ClassroomResources to Help Ensure Accessibility of Your Virtual Events for People with Disabilities
National Council of Teachers of English
Georgia Council for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
Poetry Foundation
Poetry Out Loud
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