The key difference between spoken word poetry and slam poetry primarily lies in the context of performance and competition.
- One is part of a competition; the other is not.
Slam poetry is typically performed in competitive environments called poetry slams, where poets are judged by the audience or a panel. Spoken word poetry, on the other hand, may be performed in various settings, including open mics or literary festivals, and does not have to be part of a competition.
So, the most accurate answer to how spoken word poetry differs from slam poetry is that "one is part of a competition; the other is not."