Name: _____________________________ Date: _____________________________________

How to Effectively Analyze a Poem

There are 3 key steps in analyzing a poem. The trick is

to use the KEY to help unlock the meaning.

1. K – What do you Know about the language of the poem –

what poetic devices does the author use?
i) What purpose do these poetic devices serve in the context of this poem?

2. E – What is the tonE of the poem?

i) Whose point of view is this? Why does it matter? (be specific)
ii) How does the author convey their attitude towards the topic? (poetic devices/word
choices/rhythm etc.?)

3. Y – Why? What is the underlying message the poem?

i) What message is the poet trying to get across?

In Flanders Fields
BY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Name: _____________________________ Date: _____________________________________

Let’s use the KEY method to unlock “In Flanders Fields” by

John McCrae
K – What do I know about the language?

E – What is the tone of the poem?

Y – What is the underlying message of the poem?