1. Learn basic literary devices, such as rhyming, metaphors, similes and allusions.
2. Pay attention to your delivery and style.
3. Memorize different rhyming words and write emergency verses.
4. Don't let mistakes stop you from freestyling. If you mess up a rhyme or verse, keep going and work it into your next line.
5. The best freestylers rap about their immediate surroundings and situations.

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• by J.M.Brown

• Freestyle rap is an impromptu rap performed in the moment without any pre-written verse. The best freestyle rap will incorporate literary devices, like rhymes, metaphors and similes, with a smooth delivery and allusions to current surroundings and circumstances. Freestyling skills are the mark of a great rapper; they require the rapper to think on his (or her) feet and impress the audience with his verbal ability.

• In a rap, there are three parts you need to concentrate on: the delivery, rhyme scheme and word play.

• The delivery of your words is a combination of the flow, cadence and tone of your voice.About.com: Emceeing You need to be able to create a rhythm and follow a beat.

1. Enunciate. Clearly pronounce every word.
2. Be smooth.
3. Flow with your words. Your speech should sound effortless as you move from one literary device to the next.

• Your delivery will help develop your distinct style as a rapper.

• Your way with words will separate you from the pack. Have fun and use your imagination.

1. Comparisons:
   1. Metaphor: A comparison between two seemingly different subjects without using like or as.
   2. Simile: A comparison between two nouns using like or as.
2. Pun: A humorous play on words drawing attention to words with more than one meaning or words with similar sounds and different meanings.
3. Double entendre: Uses ambiguous words with two meanings, one usually being risque.
4. Allusion: Implied reference to a person, place or an event. Usually references literature, television, films or pop culture.Tnellen.com: A Glossary of Literary Terms

• It's easy to learn more about literary devices and techniques. Pick up a book from your local library or search the Web.

• The rhyme scheme is a rhyme pattern that repeats throughout the rap.About.com: Emceeing Types of rhyme include:

1. Internal rhyme: rhyming within the middle of a line.Tnellen.com: A Glossary of Literary Terms
2. End rhyme: rhyming the ends of two or more lines.
3. Half rhyme: consonant sounds rhyme but the vowel sounds do not.
4. Multi-syllable rhymes (also known as "multis"): rhyming between multiple syllables in a phrase or verse.Flocabulary.com: Improve Your Rap: Master Multis

• To play with words, you need to have a large vocabulary. So break out that dictionary and start studying.

• Once you understand the elements required for a flowing rap, you can flex your skills.

1. Listen to rap and hip-hop music.
2. Write. Yes, freestyling means you rap without pre-written lyrics; however, to get better you need to practice rhyming and word play by crafting verses.eHow: How to Freestyle Rap
   • For more information about writing a rap song, check out Mahalo's How to Write a Rap Song section on How to Become a Rapper.
3. Memorizing sets of rhyming words will help you quickly spit out original lyrics. Eventually you'll learn how to rap off the cuff.
4. You will make mistakes, and when you do, don't stop rapping. Ignore it or work it into what comes next—just keep your rhythm going.Flocabulary.com: The Official Flocabulary Ten-Step Technique for Learning to Freestyle Rap
5. Always think about your next line. To keep your flow going, you need to think about what you are going to rhyme next. Just be careful not to get too far ahead of yourself or you'll lose your place.
6. Pick a subject or object and just start rapping about it. Whatever pops into your ahead, say it. It's best to do this in private when you are first learning, because you may not make a lot of sense at first.
7. Find your own style. Use other rappers as inspiration, but avoid copying them directly.
8. Rap what you know. Pick any theme or subject you want, but stick to your own experiences for the most believable rap.eHow: How to Freestyle Rap
   • That said, there is always a place for creative license and hyperbole. You want to keep your lyrics entertaining, so some made-up stuff is OK, too.

• Practicing will build your confidence, as well as your skills.

1. Rap whenever you can, wherever you can.Flocabulary.com: The Official Flocabulary Ten-Step Technique for Learning to Freestyle Rap
2. Practice by yourself. If you are alone, you won't feel embarrassed when you screw up.eHow: How to Freestyle Rap
   • Try practicing in front of the mirror.
3. Rap with your friends or in front of your friends. Have fun with it and get their honest opinions afterwards.

• Rap battles are an excellent way to practice and hone your freestyling ability.wikiHow: How to Survive a Freestyle Rap Battle A freestyle rap battle is a competition between rappers. The winner is the one with the best delivery, lyrics (boasts, insults and witticisms) and overall performance.About.com: Rap Battle Usually the crowd determines their favorite, so you have to fight to win them over.

1. Watch other rappers freestyle, either in person or online sites like YouTube.
2. Write a couple filler lines. These are your in-case-of-emergency lines and should only be used when you can't think of anything else.eHow: How to Freestyle Rap
3. Be humorous. Use your wit to make the crowd laugh. One liners or unexpected comparisons are perfect vehicles for humor.
4. Rap about what's around you. This may include specific objects, actions, people, clothing and situations. Rapping about your immediate environment proves that you are spinning original verses and not pre-written raps.Flocabulary.com: The Official Flocabulary Ten-Step Technique for Learning to Freestyle Rap
5. Reference current events to create original allusions and word play.
6. Play off another rapper. Expand on something your opponent says, turn it around or refute it.
   • You can also stick to similar or related topics.
7. Insults are meant to be taken with good humor, so don't get your feelings hurt.

• Rap battles are great freestyle learning opportunities. In fact, don't be afraid to use freestyle battling tips whenever you are freestyling.

• Freestying allows you to express yourself and improve your rapping ability. Mastering freestyle rap is the sign of a great rapper, so once you've got it down to a science you may want to learn how to make rapping your career.