SMILE Poetry
Analysis
A method for breaking down and
understanding poems
What is SMILE?
SMILE is a simple method for
analysing poetry.
It stands for:
 S - Structure
 M - Meaning
 I - Imagery
 L - Language
 E - Effect
Each part helps us explore
how a poem works and what
it makes us feel.
S - Structure
Look at the poem's structure
- How many stanzas and lines?
- Is there a rhyme scheme or rhythm?
- Does the structure reflect the poem's theme?
Structure often reveals important clues about the
poet's intent
S’ for structure and form
The form of the poem should also relate to the meaning. Therefore, you should
analyse the form of the poem and then ask yourself how this relates to the meaning or
the imagery.
Look for:
Number of stanzas
Enjambment
Rhythm
Caesura
Couplets
Free Verse
Dramatic Monologue
Elegy
Rhyme
Sonnet
Narrative
M - Meaning
 What is the poem about?
 What's the literal meaning?
 Is there a deeper message?
 What emotions or ideas are being explored?
 Why did the poet write this poem?
 What is the poet trying to say?
 Are they setting a scene, exploring a memory or just
gathering their thoughts?
 Does the message change in the poem?
 What are the main ideas within the poem?
A poet will try to get their
message across to the reader
in a variety of ways through
imagery and language
I- Imagery
How is the poet using imagery to get the message and
ideas across?
It is likely that they will be using language to create an
image in the reader’s mind and that these will relate to the
five senses.
Therefore, look for ways the poem relates to the senses
•Visual imagery (sight)
•Auditory imagery (hearing)
• Olfactory imagery (smell)
• Gustatory imagery (taste)
• Tactile imagery (touch
Look for images the poet
creates
What pictures are painted in
your mind?
I - Imagery
Are there metaphors, similes,
or symbols?
What senses are being
engaged?
Imagery helps create mood
and meaning
L - Language
The language of poetry is understood as the
different literary devices used within each
poem
• Comparison/Contrast
• Rhetorical devices such as simile, metaphor,
alliteration and personification.
• Rhyming and repetitive patterns such as songs
and lyrics which have a musical quality.
L - Language
 What tone is used? (formal, informal, emotional?)
 Are there interesting word choices or techniques
(alliteration, repetition, rhyme)?
 How does the language influence the meaning?
Focus on the poet's choice of words. Language shapes
how we respond to the poem. There is an important
message within the poem’s language. To decipher it is
to understand the reasoning behind the poem.
E - Effect
Effect is the lasting impression of the poem. You should
ask the question, “What is the poet conveying to me,
and how does the message influence me?”
How does the poem affect the reader?
 - What emotions does it create?
 - What message stays with you?
 - Why is the poem powerful or memorable?
This step is the most interesting one as it deals only
with the speaker’s subjective understanding of a poem.
SMILE Recap
 S - Structure
 M - Meaning
 I - Imagery
 L - Language
 E - Effect
Use SMILE to guide you through any poetry
analysis!
Now, let's apply SMILE to a real poem...