How to Read a Poem
Here are some questions to consider when you are reading and analyzing a poem.
Consider the Topic
- What is the main topic of the poem?
- Read a biography of the poet. Why do you think this topic is important to the poet? How has this topic affected the poet in their life?
- What do you think the poet is saying about the main topic of the poem?
Consider the Language
- Which words stood out to you? What did they make you think of? What kind of connotations do they have? When do you typically use that word?
- Are any words repeated? Why do you think the poet is emphasizing them?
- Is the rhythm of the poem fast or slow, choppy or lyrical, lots of vowels or consonants?
Consider the Imagery
- Which images are used? How do they contribute to the “feel” of the poem?
- Are any images repeated? Why do you think the poet is emphasizing them?
Consider the Form
- Look at the structure of the poem (line breaks) and punctuation. Which images or thoughts are you meant to pause and consider?
- Are there sentences within sentences, created by line breaks?
- Do the line breaks end at a place in the sentence that makes you think the sentence will end in another way? What do you automatically think and how does the poet change it?
- Does the poem have a shape that has meaning? How does that contribute to the meaning?
Consider the Speaker
- Is there one speaker in the poem or are there multiple?
- If there is one speaker, is the speaker always the same age?
- Is the speaker the poet or someone else?
Consider Your Reaction
- How did the poem make you feel?
- What did the poem remind you of in your life?
- What did you learn or get out of the poem?
Further Reading
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