English 4 / Zappa
Poetry : some preliminary questions and guidelines, a PROCESS
Read the poem several times, at least once aloud .
•First , it is important to determine a literal meaning (in other words, WHAT does it say?). Paraphrase the poem as thoroughly as possible for your understanding.
•Second , it is essential to identify theme(s) in the work: what is implied but not necessarily spelled out? What ideas are conveyed? This will help you focus on a figurative meaning; this is the focus of your assignments and leads to analysis.
• Third , what stylistic choices and poetic devices have been made and/or used by the poet (i.e., HOW does it say?). What devices can you identify and how do they help to shape the poem? For starters, consider some of these:
•setting (does the poem make clear a specific time and/or place?)
•speaker (does the poet use a distinct speaker to convey a particular attitude, tone, or mood? remember this is NOT the same as the poet, but can be a narrator)
•metaphor, simile, symbolism (has the poet used representation of any of these kinds? Where, and to what effect?)
•imagery (how is concrete detail used and to what effect?)
NOTES: This is an initial list; see your glossary ( PBMP ) and handout for many other possibilities. How do the poet’s decisions affect the overall poem, especially the theme(s)?
Poetry is music and its sounds often provide clues to its meaning, so it should be read aloud.
English 4 / Zappa
Poetry : some preliminary questions and guidelines, a PROCESS
Read the poem several times, at least once aloud .
•First , it is important to determine a literal meaning (in other words, WHAT does it say?). Paraphrase the poem as thoroughly as possible for your understanding.
•Second , it is essential to identify theme(s) in the work: what is implied but not necessarily spelled out? What ideas are conveyed? This will help you focus on a figurative meaning; this is the focus of your assignments and leads to analysis.
• Third , what stylistic choices and poetic devices have been made and/or used by the poet (i.e., HOW does it say?). What devices can you identify and how do they help to shape the poem? For starters, consider some of these:
•setting (does the poem make clear a specific time and/or place?)
•speaker (does the poet use a distinct speaker to convey a particular attitude, tone, or mood? remember this is NOT the same as the poet, but can be a narrator)
•metaphor, simile, symbolism (has the poet used representation of any of these kinds? Where, and to what effect?)
•imagery (how is concrete detail used and to what effect?)
NOTES: This is an initial list; see your glossary ( PBMP ) and handout for many other possibilities. How do the poet’s decisions affect the overall poem, especially the theme(s)?
Poetry is music and its sounds often provide clues to its meaning, so it should be read aloud.