How to Appreciate Poetry: Tips on How to Analyze a Poem

By Ryan Round

Because of their economy of words and their creative originality, poems can be difficult to understand and enjoy. An effective analysis of a poem can greatly help a person to appreciate the work. Here are several general features of a good poem analysis.

First, read the poem one or more times, looking for the poem's theme or message. Summarize the poem's message in a single sentence. Determine what the poem is really about.

After the initial readings, explore the poem's musical or lyrical qualities. Since poems are generally meant to be read aloud, most will have a distinctive pleasant sound. Listen for a pattern of rhymes at the end of lines or within a line or for words that almost rhyme. Note where there is a repeating rhyme pattern. Also listen for alliteration within lines, a repetition of consonant or vowel sounds appearing close together. Then listen for the meter in the lines. Meter refers to the rhythm of accented syllables in each line. Analyze whether the rhythm occurs in two syllable pairs where either the first or second syllable is accented, or whether it occurs in three syllable groups where the first or third syllable is accented. Also analyze how many accented beats are heard in each line and identify a pattern.

Next, explore the poem's visual qualities. Poems may be distinguished by their physical shape or arrangement of lines. The shape of the poem may be unique to match the subject or theme. Look for groupings of lines, called stanzas, and analyze the pattern of the stanzas. Also look for a pattern in the poet's use of punctuation and capitalizations.

The analysis of the poem should also include a discussion of the language or figures of speech that the poet has used and the effect that these choices has on the poem's meaning and enjoyment of the poem. Poets often include metaphors or similes to compare items that are not alike, often for humorous or dramatic effect. Also look for allusions that the poet may have made to history, mythology, the Bible, or literature. Many poets use symbols effectively, such as colors, references to death, nature, royalty, or danger. Analyze the poem also for images that create effective pictures and help to set the tone or mood of the poem. Look also for specific figures of speech such as hyperbole, pun, irony, or paradox.

Analyze the poem's content. Discuss in appropriate detail the poem's meaning or theme. Consider the setting of the poem, who the poem is about, the historical time frame of the poem, and why the poet may have been motivated to write the poem.

There are numerous styles of poems and the analysis should include a brief discussion of the type of poem that the poet chose. Among the many poetic styles are epic poems, lyrical poems, dramatic or narrative poems, free verse, blank verse, odes, sonnets, haiku, limericks, ballads, elegies, epitaphs, rondeaus, and villanelles.

Lastly, the poem's analysis should end with a short conclusion. The conclusion typically refers to the poem's main features and theme and assesses how successfully the poem has created enjoyment and meaning.

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About The Author
In addition to an interest in Poetry, Ryan also runs a site for internet marketers providing new private label rights products, master resell rights products, articles, training and much more.