how to analyse a poem

1. Six Steps to Help Analyze a
Poem

2. 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?

3. 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?

4. 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?

5. 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?

6. 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?

7. 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.

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. 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?