For example, you might see that the poem is broken into stanzas, groups of lines, and that there is a space dividing other lines and stanzas. [2] X Research source The poem might have long, short, or even irregular lines that will help you understand its rhythm. You can tell whether the poem takes the form of an established form, such as a sonnet, or whether it’s unique.
Sometimes poets want you to briefly pause at the end of a line without punctuation. If the poem has only a few words on each line, they’ve done this on purpose. You’ll notice this by looking at the poem before reading it. [6] X Research source
Throw caution to the wind when looking up words. Even if you think you understand a word, it may have had a different meaning if you’re reading a poem that’s centuries old. Make sure to note any words that have multiple meanings for this reason.
Make a note in the margin about the initial reaction you have to the title. What are your expectations for the poem based on the title?
Who’s the speaker of the poem? You should remember that the poet is not always the narrative voice in the poem. Are there multiple characters in the poem? Who’s the speaker’s audience?[9] X Research source What’s the basic plot of the poem? Are there conflicts present and are they resolved? Is there a turning point or transition in the poem? When does the poem take place? Present time? In the past? Over a long period of time or in a single night? Where does the poem take place? Is there a physical location? In it an imaginary environment? Why is the speaker of the poem speaking to you? What has compelled the speaker to share this poem?[10] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC’s on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source
Read the poem aloud to get a sense of its rhythm or meter. Words that are stressed through rhyme or repetition may be key to understanding the meaning of the poem. Punctuation or words in the poem that force you to slow down may be the poet’s way of calling your attention to their importance.
Imagery isn’t limited to the visual. Imagery also relates to other senses, such as smell or taste, through words. The poet may have evoked imagery through symbolism, a physical object that represents an idea, value, or emotion. If a poet has used a particular object multiple times, this is a good clue that it may be a symbol. Ask yourself if that object could represent an idea instead. [13] X Research source The poet might use allusions, a reference to something outside of the poem, to conjure up an image. Allusions are frequently references to other texts, such as the Bible.
Make sure you have some textual evidence from the poem to back up what you think it is saying. The poem’s meaning could relate to the poet’s own life, could reflect societal norms, or could challenge an accepted idea. Evidence from the poem can include things like meter, rhythm, organization, imagery, or punctuation. To make it easier to follow your thoughts, reference evidence in the poem by line number.
Be cautious when speaking about originality. Just because it may bear some similarities to other authors’ works does not mean it’s unoriginal. [16] X Research source
If you are dealing directly with the poet, use caution with your criticism since poetry is often an expression of the poet’s innermost feelings. Even if the poem is not dealing directly with the poet’s own feelings, creating any work of art can lead to heightened sensitivity. [17] X Research source
An overabundance of praise is not useful for convincing the reader of your essay that you understood the poem. Excessive praise is also not useful criticism for a poet. Instead, be selective and explain why a part was a particularly strong.
