Poetry: 1. How to Read a Poem

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?

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