How to Read Poetry.
Frightened by Frost?
Distressed by Dickinson?
Improve your understanding and enjoyment of
poetry by following these steps.
You will need A poem Patience and a literary
dictionary or handbook.
Step 1.
Read the poem at least three times.
Next, read it slowly, paying attention to
individual lines or groups of words.
Finally, read it aloud, focusing on the sound
of the poem.
Don’t look too hard for meaning and symbols.
It's important not to "overwork" a poem.
Step 2.
Think about the structure of the poem.
Does it have a rhyme scheme?
Is there a pattern, or is it free verse?
Is there repetition?
Consult a literary dictionary to learn about
specific forms, such as the sonnet, villanelle,
and sestina.
Step 3.
Contemplate the content of the poem.
What happens in the poem?
What is the mood?
Is there a conflict?
What seems to be the theme?
The author of the poem may also be the narrator,
but often the narrator is a character the
author invents.
Step 4.
Focus on the way the poem sounds.
Repetition of initial consonant sounds is
called alliteration.
Repetition of vowel sounds is called assonance.
Look for a pattern of accented and unaccented
syllables to find a poem's rhythm.
Step 5.
Look for figurative language.
Poems often use simile and metaphor to compare
feelings and things.
Personification occurs when human qualities
are attributed to non-human things, and synecdoche
substitutes a part for the whole.
A literary dictionary or handbook is a handy
resource for defining different types of figurative
language.
Step 6.
Think about the voice of the poem.
What is the point of view of the narrator?
Is the tone intimate or distant?
Is the language formal or informal?
Step 7.
Put it all together and enjoy reading the
poem according to your own analysis.
Use your new skill often – there's a whole
world of poetry to discover beyond "Roses
are red, violets are blue."
Did you know Did you know?
The U.S. poet laureate presides over the poetry
series at the Library of Congress and develops
special projects to advance poetry in American
society.
