Regular Season

• Whoever wins a slam during the regular season is automatically entered into the Semi-Finals. The Monthly Champion is responsible for attending the Semi-Finals, lest s/he forfeit that spot.
• Excepting monthly champions, a poet must have competed in at least two slams during the regular season to qualify.
• 12 poets will be eligible for the Semis. Since the Monthly Champions are guaranteed spots, the remaining eight will be determine by poets whose grand total score (average of final monthly scores) is the highest.
• A poet’s total monthly score is calculated by averaging his/her scores through all rounds. The grand total score is determined by taking an overall average of all that poet’s monthly averages.
• Note that even a first-rounder is eligible for Semis consideration, although that poet’s score would likely be lower than those who make it to the second round and beyond (Score creep, anyone?)
• Toronto Poetry Slam reserves the right to balance the bouts to ensure enough poets reach the 2-bout minimum qualification standard for Semi-Finals and Finals participation.

Semifinals and Finals

The Semi-Finals consist of two rounds for each poet. Here, everyone starts fresh (no scores carry over from the season). Each of the 12 poets needs to have at least two poems ready for the Semi-Finals (and two different poems for the Finals). The order of performance in the first round will be randomly determined. In the second round, the poets appear in reverse order.

The eight poets with the highest average from the Semis will make it to the Finals the following month. Averages are calculated at two decimal places, rounding up. The scores from the Semis will carry over to the Finals, so that the total final score will be the sum of all Semi-Finals and Finals scores for each poet.

The Finals will proceed similar to the Semis: Eight poets randomly drawn for the first round, and then the second round the order is reversed. The four poets with the highest scores from all four rounds of the semis and finals combined will make up the next Toronto Poetry Slam Team.

• No poem performed in the Semis can be performed in the Finals. It will result in automatic disqualification.
• Team pieces are not allowed in the Semis or Finals

While TPS puts away some funds for the team, the team is ultimately responsible for fundraising the balance of funds needed to to travel to and compete in the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, and, if the team wishes, the U.S. National Poetry Slam. Other gigs may be on offer from organizations in and outside Toronto, with arrangements varying. The Team is encouraged to perform readings, pursue sponsorship opportunities and spread awareness about the CFSW. Toronto Poetry Slam will assist with fundraising and marketing when possible.

Any Team Member who fails to cooperate with the above terms, and fails to meet regularly with the other Team Members, may have his/her membership revoked from the Slam Team. That final decision will rest on the shoulders of the slammaster.

Any questions or comments regarding these rules can be addressed by contacting info AT torontopoetryslam DOT com

Dave “BigDeal” Silverberg
Artistic Director
Toronto Poetry Slam

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Results from the 2007 season (January thru May), the June semis and the July finals determined the roster of TPS’ Toronto team (1 of 2, joining Roots Lounge) that will perform in the ever-incendiary Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. The scores at the end of the regular season, the 2007 rules and list of semifinalists are posted here for reference.

Standings
12 semi finalists plus 3 runner ups
Name	May	Final
Truth Is	28.73	28.41
Boonaa	—	28.16
Mic.	—	28.145
Amanda	—	27.53
Krystle	—	27.339
Jill	27.05	27.2
Tomy	—	27.165
Ariana	—	25.9
Joe	—	25.825
TBB	25.3	25.6
Val	27.1	25.57
Dane	26.65	25.42
EJ	22.7	25.08
Matt	25	25.05
Tripp	26.3	24.37
The first 12 in the above advance to the semi-finals. The last 3 are shown for comparison (or if one of the qualifiers drops out). The chart shows averages from the most recent slam plus the overall final scores. Monthly slam winners automatically proceed to semifinals.

More detail here. Questions or comments? See the forum post or contact info AT torontopoetryslam DOT com

Semifinalists

The final scores of the regular season are shown to the left for posterity.

Here’s how it worked:

• The June 23 Semi-Finals will consist of two rounds, featuring all 12 poets.. Here, everyone starts fresh (no scores carry over from the season). Each of the 12 poets needs to have at least two poems ready for the Semi-Finals (and three different poems for the Finals). The order of performance in the first round will be randomly determined. In the second round, the poets appear in reverse order. While a champion will win this slam, and take home $75, it does not mean that the winner automatically qualifies for the team
• Rather, the eight poets with the highest aggregate average totals from the Semis will make it to the Finals in July (i.e. 26.6 + 27 + 29.1 = 27.56). The scores from the Semis will carry over to the Finals, so that the total final score will be the sum of all Semi-Finals and Finals scores for each poet. Averages are calculated at two decimals places, rounding up.
• No poem performed in the Semis can be performed in the Finals. It will result in automatic disqualification.
• The Finals will proceed similar to the Semis: Eight poets randomly drawn for the first round, and then the second round the order is reversed. The four poets with the highest averaged scores from all four rounds of the playoffs (June and July) will make up the 2007 Toronto Poetry Slam Team. And like June, the July slam winner will win $75 and ‘nuff respect.
• A fifth alternate poet will be selected from the Finals, and that poet will have a chance to join the Team in competitions at home and abroad. If a Team member cannot slam at a competition for whatever reason, the alternate will fill in.
• The 2007 Toronto Poetry Slam Team is responsible for fundraising efforts to secure airfare to compete at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in Halifax in October 2007. Also, the Team may wish to attend the U.S. National Poetry Slam Championship in the summer, as long as the Team organizes enough fundraisers and product sales to cover airfare and accommodation. Toronto Poetry Slam will assist the Team with fundraising and marketing whenever possible.
• Any questions or comments regarding these rules can be addressed by contacting info AT torontopoetryslam DOT com

Detailed scoresheet (All slams + averages)

• Right here
• Season Opener Commemorative Chickenscratch!
  111 KB

Detailed team qualification rules

These are the criteria for qualifying for the 2007 slam team. For how one slam would go down, check slam rules.

• A four-person team (plus one alternate) will represent Toronto Poetry Slam at the 2007 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word and (if possible) the National Poetry Slam Championship in Austin, Texas.
• Whoever wins a slam from January to May is automatically entered into the Semi-Finals in June. The Monthly Champion is responsible for attending the Semi-Finals, lest he/she forfeit their spot.
• There will be 12 poets eligible for the Semi-Finals. Since Monthly Champions are guaranteed spots, the remaining eight will be poets who have the highest average scores from their competed slams. They must also have competed in at least two slams between January and May.
• A poet’s score per slam is calculated by averaging his/her scores through all three rounds (if applicable). The grand total average is determined by adding the monthly averages and dividing the number by the number of slams (much like last year’s Finals scorage). Note that even a first-rounder is eligible for Semis consideration, although that poet’s score would likely be lower than those who make it to the second round and beyond (Score creep, anyone?)
• Toronto Poetry Slam reserves the right to balance the bouts to ensure enough poets reach the 2-bout minimum qualification standard for Semi-Finals and Finals participation.