Analyzing Poetry

By Mrs. May

Formal Analysis

• 3 devices = meter, foot, rhyme

• Poetry creates meaning from– Interactions between the meaning of words

and the effects of them arranged in metrical patterns

• FORM and MEANING must be considered together for full understanding

Poetry

• Expresses the ineffable• “A poem is the shortest emotional distance

between two points” (Robert Frost)• Poetry is intimate, private, emotional – open to

many interpretations• Historically, poetry has played an important role

in illuminating cultural inequalities• Poetry = way of engaging world while providing

personal meaning

Points to Remember

• Form enhances credibility (i.e. sonnet)

• Rhyme Scheme/Form – influence diction, syntax and style

• Tone created through imagery and connotation

Major Impacts of Rhyme

• Add degree of aural enhancement

• Tend to make it more memorable

• Stress major points

• Adds to popularity and readability

• Summarizes major meaning of poem in exclamatory manner!

• Used to emphasize words AND make connections between them

Common Themes in Poetry

• Usually universal theme – connects to emotions and life– Coming of Age: Identity search; loss of innocence,

growth through life– Life Cycle: Major events, i.e. birth, falling in love,

growing old, death– The Quest: Undertaking journeys to achieve a goal– Outcast Motif: Individual is either isolated or excluded

from society – can be voluntary or involuntary

Literary Devices and Effect on Reader

• Emotional Effect – relates to the human condition, allows for personal connections

• Literary devices used to provide examples/allow for individual connections or interpretations of the poem

Style

• Style: Author’s distinctive way of writing– Manner of language used to evoke mood– Refers to a time period in literary history OR to an

individual writer

• Style includes:– Diction, or word choice, which some believe most

important subject of poetry– Tone/Figures of speech– Sentence length/structure

Tone

• Tone usually associated with attitude• Irony VERY common• Communicated by writer’s diction• MOOD = overall feeling• Mood + Tone add richness and texture to words,

deliberate by writer• TONE SHIFTS = Essential in analyzing poetry

and purposeful by writer• Common Tones: Serious, bitter, humorous,

ironic, sympathetic, joyous, mocking, angry, amusing, shocked, playful

Imagery

• Used in poetry to create “pictures” evoked in a poem

• Reader perceives “pictures” through senses

• Tangible – NOT abstract – allows readers to connect with poet’s thoughts/ideas

• Allows poet’s meaning to be strong, clear and sure

Figurative Language

• Manipulates language to convey impressions in a new, innovative construction

• Used to SUGGEST rather than give direct meaning

• Allows poet AND reader opportunity for unique expression and understanding

• Denotation (literal meaning) v. Connotation (implied meaning)

• Emotions, feelings and moods invoked through skillful use of figurative language (i.e. similes, metaphors, hyperbole, personification, etc.)

Other Common Devices

• Allegory: Uses story to symbolize another meaning (i.e. Bible story/character)– Common in older poetic works– Often replaced in modern works with symbolism

• Allusion: Reference to well-known place, event, person, work of art; enrich work by suggesting powerful comparisons

• Satire: Aims to expose human OR institutional vices in which corrective is implied or directly proposed (often via humor)

Guidelines for Reading Poetry

1. Understand relationship of title to work.2. Know who the “speaker” is.3. Know major theme or argument that dominates

work.4. Use of meter and rhyme.5. Poetry – deals with either private or individual

matters or public spectrum6. Examine poetry for figurative language – this

allows for individual interpretation and connection to a poem!

Tips for Analyzing a Poem

1. Read poem two times – jot down “gist”.

2. Annotate – symbols, devices, meter, rhyme.

3. Paraphrase by stanza (or line).

4. Imagine setting using imagery – create a visual picture in your mind.

5. Write one sentence summary of poem’s essence.

TPPCASTT

T: Title – what does it mean?P: POV – who is the speaker?P: Paraphrase – by stanza/lineC: Connation/Denotation – what is the implied meaning?A: Attitude/Analysis – analyze use of imagery, symbols,

irony, figurative language, word choice, diction, meter, rhyme, mood

S: Shifts (Tone) – we think/feel one thing then it changes – indicates tone shifts – consider changes

T: Title – re-visit title – are there any new insights on meaning/significance of title

T: Theme – what does the poem say about life/humanity?

GEM WORDS

• Rhyme• Meter• Foot• Diction• Syntax• Style• Tone• Imagery• Allegory• Allusion• Satire• Irony

• Figurative language– Similes– Metaphors– Personification– Hyperboles

• Denotation v. Connotation

• Tone• Stanza• Refrain• Style• Blank verse• Free verse