How to Read a Poem

Poems can be read many ways. The following steps describe one approach. Of course not all poems require close study and all should be read first for pleasure.

Step 1 Look at the poem's title:

What might this poem be about?

Step 2 Read the Poem straight through:

Do not stop to analyze it (aloud, if possible). This will help you get a sense of how it sounds, how it works, what it might be about.

Step 3 Start with what you know:

If the poem is difficult, distinguish between what you do and do not understand. If permissible, underline the parts you do not immediately understand.

Step 4 Check for understanding:

Write a quick "first-impression" of the poem by answering the questions, "What do you notice about this poem so far?" and "what is this poem about?"

Step 5 Look at patterns:

Watch for repeated, interesting, or even unfamiliar use of language, imagery, sound, color, or arrangement. Ask,"What is the poet trying to show through this pattern?"

Step 6 Look for changes:

In tone, focus, narrator, structure, voice, patterns. Ask: "What has changed and what does the change mean?"

Step 7 Identify the narrator:

Ask: Who is speaking in the poem? What do you know about them?

Step 8 Check for new understand:

Re-read the poem (aloud, if you can) from start to finish, underlining (again) those portions you do not yet understand. Explain the poem to yourself or someone else.

Step 9 Find the crucial moments:

The pivotal moment might be as small as the word but or yet. Such words often act like hinges withing a poem to swing the poem in a whole new direction. Also pay attention to breaks between stanzas or between lines.

Step 10 Consider form and function:

Now is a good time to look at some of the poet's more critical choices. Did the poet use a specific form, such as a sonnet? How did this particular form--e.g., a sonnet--allow them to express their ideas? Did the poet use other specific poetic devices which you should learn so you can understand the poem better? Examples might include: enjambment, assonance, alliteration, symbols, metaphors, or allusions. Other examples might include unusual use of capitalization, punctuation (or lack of any), or typography. Ask. "How is the poet using punctuation in the poem?"