1. Tips for Reading Poetry

2. Read the poem out loud Sometimes hearing a poem can help you understand it better! If the poem is being read out loud, follow along with the words- 2 ways is better than one!

3. Identify the speaker and the occasion Who is the speaker? What do you know about him Remember! The speaker does not mean the author!

4. Key and Unfamiliar words Identify key words- words that are repeated, stick out, etc Identify the connotation of a word- why did the author use that word instead of another? Identify unfamiliar words Look up the definition Make an inference!

5. Write a paraphrase After each stanza, write a summary telling what happened. What is the speaker saying? If you are unsure, use your other other methods to understand!

6. Find the “So What?” Figure out why this poem was written. Think of the author’s purpose in writing this. If you had to tell a friend about this poem, what would you say?

7. Don’t be afraid of poetry! Poetry isnt meant to be scary or intimidating If you feel lost, then use these strategies to help you~