This document discusses strategies for understanding poetry that some readers find intimidating or difficult. It recommends closely reading poems multiple times and taking notes to analyze elements like the speaker's voice, word choices, imagery, figures of speech, rhythm, and themes. By marking up the text with highlights and notes in the margins, readers can decipher symbols, allegory, allusions and gain a deeper understanding of what the poet is conveying through their work.

1. Reading for a Reason

2. Some individuals find poetry difficult Intimidating Subtle tone Obscurity Confusing Does not get to the point directly Poetry must be deciphered Often omits explanation, causing a need for decompression Many glaze over without reading closely Not impossible to understand

3. Rephrasing – Put poem in own words Voice – Who is the poem’s speaker? Diction – Word choice? Imagery – What images are presented? Figures of speech – Metaphor? Simile? Hyperbole? Personification? Understatement? Sound – Are rhythm and meter regular or irregular? Alliteration? Assonance?

4. Symbols, Allegory, Allusion, Myth – What signals are used to convey the message? Theme – What is the overall theme of the poem? How are those themes expressed?

5. You have the poems – mark them up! Break out the highlighters and pens In the margins, you should write information that comes to mind as you read Write questions as you move along

6. Don’t be intimidated – you can glean something from every poem Read and reread – poetry is short – therefore you should plan on reading each poem at least three times Each time you read the poem you will discover more