Six Steps to Help Analyze
a Poem
Step 1: Consider the Title
 Remember that the poem’s title is the author’s
first communication with the reader; therefore,
spend a moment considering what meaning the
poet is suggesting by their choice of words.
 What is the poet communicating about the
subject of the poem, and what is the poet’s
attitude about their subject?
 What possible connotations does the title have?
 What images or pictures come to mind? What do
you expect from the title?
Step 2: Study the form of the poem
on the page
 Is the poem arranged in stanzas? If so, how many?
What relationship might there be between the number of
stanzas and the subject matter of the poem?
 Are the stanzas of a standard length (same number of
lines in each stanza), or do the stanzas vary in length?
What possible meaning does this suggest about the
relationship or importance of the ideas in the stanzas?
 Consider the length of the lines. Are the lines uniform in
length? Are they short, long, varied in length? What
possible meaning does this suggest about the
relationship or importance of the ideas in the stanzas?
Step 2: Study the form of the poem
on the page, cont’d.
 Look for any unusual capitalization. Remember that it is
standard in poetry to capitalize the first letter of each
line. If there are any words unusually capitalized, what
possible meaning does the capitalization have?
 Examine the punctuation used. What types of
punctuation are used? Commas? Periods? Exclamation
points? Question marks? Dashes? What does the use of
punctuation suggest about the poet’s ideas?
 Look for any end rhyme. Look at the last word in each
line for a regular pattern of rhyming. Remember that
rhyme forms a connection between words. What
possible meaning is the poet after by forming a
connection between the words which rhyme?
Step 3: Read the poem aloud.
 Remember that a poet is communicating
through the sounds of the words they select, as
well as through the literal meaning of the words;
therefore, it is essential that you read the poem
aloud to fully appreciate the poet’s use of sound.
 Listen to the sounds. Are the sounds smooth or
harsh? Do you have any emotional reaction to
particular words or sounds?
 Do you hear any repetition of particular sounds?
What might the poet be trying to communicate
through the repetition?
Step 3: Read the poem aloud,
cont’d.
 Listen to the rhythm of the poem. Is there a
standard rhythmical pattern? Is there a recurring
beat or rhythm? What’s the emotional reaction to
the rhythm?
 Listen for any internal rhyme. (Internal rhyme is
when a word within a line rhymes with the word
at the end of the line.) Is there a connection
between the words which are being rhymed?
What might it be?
 Do you have any first impressions of the poem’s
subject matter and tone from the oral reading?
Step 4: Read the poem line by line.
 Once you have carefully completed Steps 1, 2, and 3,
you are ready for the most thorough reading of the
poem. During this step you read the poem line by line
and sentence (if punctuated with periods) by sentence.
As you read, consider all the possible meanings of the
words. Do not immediately assume that your first
reaction is the only possible meaning. Remember the
poet has carefully selected and arranged the words to
reveal the relationship of their ideas. The poet has
chosen words consciously to reveal the greatest
meaning in the fewest words; therefore, you must read
precisely and thoroughly to understand their ideas.
Step 4: Read the poem line by line,
cont’d.
 Remember to consider each stanza as a unit.
What divisions has the poet made in their
subject matter? What is the relationship between
the ideas in each stanza? Why are the stanzas
arranged in sequence as they are? What
meaning does each stanza have?
Step 5: Analyze the entire poem.
 Consider the entire poem as a unit, recalling
what insights you have gained from Steps 1-4.
 What is the poet’s intention? What vision did
they present in the poem? What idea did the
poet convey? What meaning does the poem
have?
 What is the total effect of the poem?
Step 6: Evaluation of the poem.
 Evaluate the poem objectively. Try to distance
yourself. Avoid personal prejudices. Is the poem
well written? Does the poet use their language
and form effectively in communicating their
ideas?
 Evaluate the poem subjectively. This is your
personal response to the idea, form, and sound
of the poem. Did you like the poem? Did the
poet communicate something which was
relevant to you?