Basic Steps to Reading Poetry

Read Poetry Aloud! Poets design poems to be read aloud. Experience the poetry! You’ll remember more.

Have the Right Tools Handy Dictionary Books about, or Internet access, to Poetry Biography on the Poet Historical Reference

Steps for Reading Poetry

STEP 1 Read the poem silently to yourself without stopping! Skim the poem, don’t read too carefully. Make a mental note of unfamiliar words or surprises!

Step 2 Read the poem a second time. Don’t rush, read at a moderate pace Read the poem aloud Enunciate!

Step 2 Continued… Begin taking notes/annotating- for example underline and “look up” unfamiliar words Look for poetic devices and punctuation (annotate) Use your tools if necessary to help understand the poem (ie. clarify surprises)

Step 3 Read the poem once more Pause for POWER! Punctuation is powerful. Practice ending lines Practice ending one stanza and beginning another Pay attention- you just might “get” the poem