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Examine the Title

Because poetry is condensed language, the title is often a critical clue to the overall meaning. The titles of poems also provide the background needed to understand a poem, including the setting and the point of view. Poem titles, while sometimes attention grabbing, also provide crucial information and should be considered closely.

Explore the Images

The foundation of all poetry is imagery: sight, sound. By examining the imagery in a poem and looking for similarities and differences, the reader will discover the meaning of the poem. Read the poem slowly and examine the imagery. Remember the lines in poems may extend to the next line if no punctuation is present. Keep a chart to track the various images, and then review the overall list. Pay close attention to repeated lines, because they are often closely linked to the poem’s meaning.

Unlock Figurative Language

Poetry contains a good deal of figurative language that is often at the center of the poem’s meaning. Sometimes, an entire poem is built around one extended comparison. Frequently, poems use a central metaphor or image to convey the message. Carefully examine any figurative language in the poem, especially if the comparison is in the title or repeated throughout the poem.

Examine the Ending

The last few lines of a poem often summarize the author’s point and make a final statement. If you are struggling to find meaning in a poem, re-examine the final few lines. The ending of a poem will often tie together the imagery and clearly state the author’s purpose.

Connect to the Author and Time Period

The time period and biography of a poet will give insight that may be hard to decipher just by reading the poem out of context. When in doubt about the meaning of a poem, research the poet and his era for missing clues.

Unpack the Structure of a Poem

Graphic elements can have a huge effect on the rhythm of a poem. Notice how line length, word position, punctuation make the line flow a bit better; and how a poet might use them to enhance the meaning of a poem.