1. How to read a poem
A Guide

2. The Steps
First: the title of the poem—does it offer clues about the poem?
Second: read the poem straight through without stopping.
Third: read it again, checking for meaning

3. Questions about Voice Paraphrase the poem in the margin
Who is speaking the poem?
Out of what situation?
Out of what kind of feeling?
In what tone of voice?
Paraphrase the poem in the margin

4. Questions about Diction
What kind of language (figurative or literal) is the poem written in?
Each word has a denotative meaning (the dictionary meaning) and a connotative meaning which is derived from the context of the poem. Context may suggest a meaning quite different from the denotative meaning alone
Does the poem use a high or serious language?
Look up words in the dictionary that you do not understand
Is the poem written in dialect?
Does the poem use conversational style?
Does the poem use a variety of styles?
Does the poem use imagery? If so, in what way?

5. Questions about Form What kind of pattern does the poem make?
What kind of rhythm do the words have?
Rhythm, repetition, onomatopoeia, consonance, alliteration, assonance,
Are rhymes used? If so, in what way?
Rhyme scheme, end rhyme, internal rhyme
How are the lines broken up?
Commas, semicolons, periods and other punctuation tell you where to pause
No punctuation marks signify that the author wishes no pauses or breaks in thought
How many stanzas are there?
Look for complete thoughts instead of reading line by line.
Write your impressions, what you think, imagine, or feel about each section that the author puts in each “clump” between the punctuation

6. Questions about Meaning
What is the theme of the poem?
How is it developed?
How valuable is the understanding expressed in the poem?
Is it profound or trivial? Perceptive or commonplace?
How does it relate to your own understanding of the world?
Does the poem encourage you to understand things in a better or different way?

7. Questions about Comparisons
Do you know or can you find other poems that are similar in form? Similar in theme?
If so, how does the poem stand up in relationship to them?
Is it more or less powerful in its use of language?
Is it more or less sensitive in its understanding?
Does it alter the theme in any way?
Some things are compared directly with simile using like or as
Some things are compared indirectly using metaphor, analogy, personification, or hyperbole