How to Apply | Workshops | Prizes | Curriculum Materials |
NCTE Standards
Poetry Out Loud (POL) is a national recitation contest that encourages high school students to expand their knowledge of poetry through memorization and performance. The program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.
2008 State Finalists
Read about this year's state finalists and winner Hannah Roark's experience at the national finals in Washington, D.C., on our News/Media page under press releases.
How to Apply
Poetry Out Loud materials are sent to participating schools in the fall for use through early winter. For information on how your school can participate, contact Dr. Jennifer Kidney, Director of Literature Programs. Additional information is available at the Poetry Out Loud website: www.poetryoutloud.org.
Workshops
Poetry Out Loud is an ongoing program and teachers may contact Dr. Jennifer Kidney to schedule a classroom workshop at any time to prepare students for competition.
Contest Structure
Competitions begin at the classroom level. Winners advance to a school-wide competition, then to regional and state finals, and ultimately to the National Finals.
Prizes
The state finals winner will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington (with their teacher) to compete for the national championship. The winner’s school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. One runner-up will receive $100; his or her school will receive $200 for the purchase of poetry books.
A total of $50,000 in scholarship awards and school stipends will be awarded to winners at the National Finals, with a $20,000 college scholarship awarded to the National Champion. Note: prizes are offered only for official competitions identified and conducted by the Oklahoma Humanities Council.
Curriculum Materials
Resources include anthologies, teachers’ guides, audio CDs, and promotional guides. Hard copies of curriculum materials are free for participating schools. Schools not involved in the official contest may download online materials from the Poetry Out Loud website: www.poetryoutloud.org.
NCTE Standards
Poetry Out Loud satisfies most of the NCTE English Language Arts Standards. In addition to memorizing and performing poetry, students will discuss the lives of great poets and their work and—if the teacher uses optional lesson plans on the POL website—learn to write poetry of their own. The program requires only 2-3 weeks of class time and does not require full class periods.
2009 Contest Schedule
The schedule for 2009 state competitions will be posted soon. National Finals competitions will be held April 26-28 in Washington, D.C.
OHC facilitates Poetry Out Loud in partnership with the Oklahoma Arts Council.