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If you intend to read your poem to a number of people,  such as at a wedding or an employee's leaving presentation,  then follow these useful tips to ensure you get the maximum from your performance ~

    Preparation ~

~  Print your poem on plain paper in a font large enough for you to easily read it at arm's length.

~  If you print your poem onto more than one page then staple the pages together in the correct order so that there’s no chance of you getting them mixed up.

                ~  Always read your poem through beforehand as many times as necessary for you to almost know it by heart.

                ~  Learn the tempo of each verse as they may sometimes be different.

                ~  Consider emphasising certain words by lowering or raising your tone, or pausing before you say them.  This creates a more theatrical delivery.

                 ~  Give your poem a name that you can announce before you read it.  Like “Hurrah to the Bride and Groom!”

   Delivery ~

                ~  Have a glass of water ready and take a sip just before you present.  This will prevent your mouth from drying up. 

                 ~  Face the crowd, when you read the poem, with your head up so that your voice projects into the crowd.  No one will hear you if you talk into the paper.

                 ~  Resist the temptation to speak too quickly.  Pace yourself at a slow calm speed with pauses between verses.  Take sips of your water between verses to help maintain a slow speed.

                 ~  Consider using humour to improve your performance.  Humour is a great way of relaxing both you and the crowd. 

Example: stick 10-20 sheets of paper with printing on them end to end and fold them into a pile like a concertina.  Announce that you have a short poem to read and hold the pile up.  Whilst holding the top page let the pile fall open to the floor and announce “It’ll only take an hour or so!”.

Example:  Fold your poem and put it in your pocket. Put another folded piece of paper, with text on it, in another pocket.  When you announce that you have written a poem pull the fake poem out and as you are opening it say “its called” open the paper and immediately say “god I’m so wonderful” whilst pretending to read the title.  Look really embarrassed and fold it up quickly saying “oh no, not that one!”.  Take out the real poem and read it’s name.

    Post Delivery ~

              ~  Consider printing your poem onto a picture with a suitable background, framing it and give it to the person for whom it was written.

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