Guide+for+How+to+Read+a+Poem


 * A Guide for How to Read A Poem (Revised 2/26/2012)**

A. First read the poem aloud. If you cannot read it aloud, read it aloud inside your head. During this first reading, look for any patterns and an overall sense of what the poem is about.
 * Do the following steps first before you answer the guiding questions.**

B. Read for the literal meaning of the poem by reading the poem line by line and paraphrasing into your own words what the poet is saying.

C. Read the poem line by line for the figurative meaning and poetic devices.


 * Guiding Questions: How to Read a Poem**

1. Who is the speaker in this poem? What kind of person is he or she?

2. To whom is he/she speaking? In other words, describe the speaker's audience.

3. What is the situation and setting in time (era) and place?

4. What is the purpose of the poem?

5. State the poem's central idea or theme in a single sentence.

6. Indicate and explain (if you can) any allusions. Do the allusions share a common idea?

7. Explain the rhyme scheme of the poem.

8. Describe the structure of the poem. What is its meter and form? (Scan it.)

9. How do the structure of the poem and its content relate?

10. What is the tone of the poem? How is it achieved?

11. Notice the poem's diction. Discuss any words which seem especially well-chosen?

12. Are there any predominant images in the poem?

13. Note metaphors, similes, and personification, and discuss their effect.

14. Recognize and discuss examples of paradox, overstatement (hyperbole), and understatement (litotes).

15. Explain any symbols. Is the poem allegorical?

16. Explain the significance of any sound repetition (alliteration, assonance, consonance, etc.).

17. Write a paraphrase of the poem. In other worlds, write down the literal meaning of the poem in your own words.