Tips for Analyzing Structure and Meaning of Poetry
Word Choice Imagery/Sensory Language Figurative Language
Use context or a Sensory language Identify similes dictionary to creates images that (comparisons using like understand word appeal to one or more or as). denotations (literal of the five senses. meanings) and Identify metaphors connotations Identify images (comparisons which one (associated ideas and descriptions that this is spoken as if it feelings). appear to one or more were another). of the five senses. Connotation and denotation help create Determine your Identify the tone of the poem. emotional response to personifications each. (comparisons giving Ask yourself what the human characteristics connotations of key Analyze ways in which to a nonhuman subject). words show about the images are connected subject and the speaker and considered what (the voice that says the they show about the poem). poems subject. Sound Devices Structure Rhythm Identify any instances of Determine the poems Identify the pattern of alliteration (the form and notice is stressed and unstressed repetition of sounds at patterns such as rhyme, syllables in each line. the beginning of line breaks and stanzas. words). Rhythm gives a poem a If the poem divides into musical quality. Identify any instances of stanzas, determine the onomatopoeia (words main idea of each. Consider how meter with sounds that imitate reinforces ideas. what they name).
Consider ways in which
Identify instances of changes in the rhythm repetition (the reuse of reinforce surprises or the same word or shifts in meaning. closely related words).
Identify any instances of
rhyme (the repetition of All of this information can be sounds at the end of found in your Literature book words). on page 576 (Blue) or 554 (Yellow)