How To STUDY A POEM | Studying on your own requires self-discipline and a carefully thought-out work plan in order to be effective. © Pociry is the most challenging kind of literary writing. In your first reading you may well not understand what the poem is about. Don't jump too swiftly to any conclusions about the poems meani (© Read the pom many times, and including out loud. After the second or third reading, write down any features you find interesting or unusual Whats the poems tone of voice? What is the poem's mood? © Does the poem have an srptiment? Is it descriptive? © Is the poet writing in his or her own voice? Might he or she be using persona or mask? ‘© Is there anything special about the kind of language the poet has chosen? Which words stand out? Why? © What elements are repeated? Consider alter rhyme, shythm, metaphor and ideas. © What might the poem's images suggest or symbolise? © What might be significant about the way the poem is arranged in lines? Is there regular pattern of lines? Does the grammar coincide with the ending of the lines or does it ‘run over’? What is the effect ofthis? © Do not consider the poem i iolation. Can you compare and ‘contrast the poem with any other work by the same poet or ‘with any other poem that deals withthe same theme? © What do you think the poem is about? Every argument you make about the poem must be backed up with details and quotations that explore its language and ‘organisation. (© Always express your ideas in your own words. The word ‘poetry comes from the Greek word poess, meaning ‘making’ or ‘creating’ People have been writing poetry for thousands of years | =the earliest we | have dates back to | c20000.