Literary Critical Reading Guide

Use the following outline to guide you through an "active reading" of poetry. These steps will assist you in identifying
key literary elements and opening the rich relationships of those elements.
Analyze the content of the poem
1) Read the poem carefully.
2) Summarize the poem briefly. Make sure you identify major characters, plot, conflict, topic, etc.
The poem is about a child growing up in a town full of doubters. He always proved them wrong and he eventually
became the king of that town. The characters arent defined, but you can tell that the child is alone and the only person
that believes in him is himself.

Analyze the Structure of the poem
1) Identify the poems structure (stanzas, line breaks, punctuation) and rhyme scheme (if there is one).
The poem is in AB rhyme form, and the first letter is always capitalized.

2) Explain how the author uses time.
Time isnt mentioned.

3) Explain how the author uses setting.
The author describes the people around the protagonist as the setting.

4) Identify the point(s) of view through which the poem is written.
3
rd
Person







Analyze Rhetorical Elements
1) Identify literary devices e.g., metaphor, simile, personification, etc. Cite line numbers for each.
Brutal December (Line 1)

2) Identify recurring image patterns.
The author describes the childs peers as doubters constantly.

3) Explain the author's use of symbols. Identify what the symbol is and what it stands for.
Assume your place on throne (Line 20) shows that the child overcame all of his doubters because of his ambition.

4) Identify special uses of language, including unusual diction and syntax.
The author used rhyming throughout the poem.

Analyze the Meaning of the poem (Interpretation)
1) Identify what seems to be the theme (dominant message or claim) and how the author announces it.
Ambition can drive you to succeed no matter how many people doubt you. The author confirms this by ending the poem
with the protagonist on a throne.
2) Explain how rhetorical elements (in the section above) contribute to the theme.
They help drive the overall message of the tone.
3) Identify contextual elements (allusions, symbols, other devices) that point beyond the poem to the author's
experience/life, history, or to other writings.
The author uses rhyming to help make the poem more rhythmically interesting.
"Am I Wrong"

Am I wrong for thinking out the box from where I stay?
Am I wrong for saying that I choose another way?

I ain't tryna do what everybody else doing
Just cause everybody doing what they all do
If one thing I know, I'll fall but I'll grow
I'm walking down this road of mine, this road that I call home

So am I wrong
For thinking that we could be something for real?
Now am I wrong
For trying to reach the things that I can't see?

But that's just how I feel,
That's just how I feel
That's just how I feel
Trying to reach the things that I can't see

Am I tripping for having a vision?
My prediction: I'mma be on the top of the world

Walk your walk and don't look back, always do what you decide
Don't let them control your life, that's just how I feel
Fight for yours and don't let go, don't let them compare you, no
Don't worry, you're not alone, that's just how we feel

Am I wrong (am I wrong)
For thinking that we could be something for real?
(oh yeah yeah yeah oh)
Now am I wrong (am I wrong)
For trying to reach the things that I can't see?
(oh yeah yeah yeah yeah)

But that's just how I feel,
That's just how I feel
That's just how I feel
Trying to reach the things that I can't see

If you tell me I'm wrong, wrong
I don't wanna be right, right
If you tell me I'm wrong, wrong
I don't wanna be right
[2x]

Am I wrong
For thinking that we could be something for real?
Now am I wrong
For trying to reach the things that I can't see?

But that's just how I feel,
That's just how I feel
That's just how I feel
Trying to reach the things that I can't see

So am I wrong (am I wrong)
For thinking that we could be something for real?
(oh yeah yeah yeah oh)
Now am I wrong (am I wrong)
For trying to reach the things that I can't see?
(oh yeah yeah yeah yeah)

But that's just how I feel,
That's just how I feel
That's just how I feel
Trying to reach the things that I can't see