script poetry

Form
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Poetry that mimics the format, dialogue, or conventions of dramatic or cinematic scripts

Detailed Definition
Script poetry integrates elements of dramatic scriptwriting—such as character names, stage directions, or dialogue formatting—into verse, blurring boundaries between poetry and theater to explore performative identity, interpersonal dynamics, or the materiality of spoken language.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Claudia Rankine’s “Citizen,” script-like blocks mimic film or theater; In Suzan-Lori Parks’s “Possession,” stage directions blend with poetry; In Anne Carson’s “Grief Lessons,” Euripides’ plays are rendered as script poetry; In Danez Smith’s “summer, somewhere,” dialogue format creates script poetry.
Additional Notes
Script poetry mimics dramatic scripts with speaker labels, stage directions, or dialogue; blurs poetry and theater—use white space and typography to enhance performative quality.
Also Known As
Dramatic verse theatrical poem staged lyric performative script ink poetry manuscript poetry pen-based poetry
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