For years I have heard one critique about my writing. Throughout high school and college it has followed me, always reminding me that I still have some work to do before I can be fully confident in my writing. Time and time again I refuse to acknowledge it’s presence because I feel as if my writing is fine just the way it is, and yet it still haunts me.

I am not formal enough as a writer.

There I said it. I know, I talk a lot, I like to have conversations with my readers. But I don’t feel like it affects me at all. Jack Kerouac asked his readers questions, so did Hunter S. Thompson. They both turned out fine. And yet, I get criticized! Where is the fairness in that? That’s why I am so excited to be writing a paper on slam poetry. See, to me, slam poetry is about expressing yourself in the most real way possible. Gone are the days of the poets who talked soft and spoke of quiet summer evening. Slam is in your face, and it gets to the heart of who the poet is as a person. That’s why for my paper I know I will be informal. I feel as if I want my paper and presentation to reflect the nature of slam poetry. I want it to be what I think, and talk about what I know. So excuse me if I may shout during my presentation, use improper pronouns, and use way too many contractions. I don’t mean to seem like I don’t care about formality, it’s just very low on my list.