Page 4 Steps to Reading Poetry Chart


The last two steps to your poetry chart are given below:

Step 1

Listen
(Lessons 1 and 2)
  1. Read the poem aloud slowly and clearly.
  2. Pause where there is punctuation, not at the ends of lines.
  3. Consider tone (emotion expressed by reading)
Step 2

Sense
(Lesson 3)
  1. Imagine the sense of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch in the poem.
  2. In which unusual categories are objects, animals, or people placed?
  3. What action is happening in the poem?
  4. How did the poet create these images?
Step 3

Question
  1. Examine all elements in a poem to determine its meaning.
  2. Write questions you would ask the poet if you could.
      • What do specific or unfamiliar words or phrases mean?
      • Of what do comparisons in the poem remind you? Why?
      • Does the comparison make sense in your experience?
      • How does the message apply to your life or to events in society?
Step 4

Clarify
(Lesson 4)
  1. Summarize or paraphrase.
  2. Explain the meaning of symbolic language. Use either symbols or creative word choice. For example, black may represent death, and a dove may represent peace.
  3. How does the poet build mood?
  4. What words or phrases impress you, appeal to you, are puzzling, unique or powerful?
  5. Examine figures of speech.
Step 5

Interpret
(Lesson 5)
  1. What is the main idea (theme) the poet wants me to think about?
Step 6

React
  1. Talk back to the poem. How do you see the poem? Of what does this poem remind you? Of what does the poem remind me in my own life?



Show What You Know

In your downloaded assignment file for Lesson 5, complete Section 1.  Be sure to save your work.



  Please contact your teacher if you have questions.