Steps to Analyzing a Poem 7 Steps The

Steps to Analyzing a Poem 7 Steps

The 7 Steps of Poetry Analysis 1. Read it (2 x) – Translate Everything you can translate, Google words you can Google - Note the setting, topic, who is speaking? 1. The Title 2. Literal Meaning 3. Theme 4. The Tone 5. The Structures 6. Sound and Rhythm 7. Language and Imagery

The Title Start your search for theme (meaning) by examining the title of the poem. Ask yourself: - What information does it give you? - What expectations does it create? - Does it tell you the subject of the poem? - Is it sarcastic? Humorous? Descriptive? - Why do you think the author chose it? What information does the title of the poem The Raven give you? Why? Note this down.

Literal Meaning This is part of the reading portion of the poem. You need to note words you know, words you don’t know. Some words have different meanings, can you guess their meaning? Use Google to look up Allusions you might not know. (An allusion is making a causal or indirect reference to something). These are often things you don’t know; people, places, things. In your groups make a list of words you don’t know from The Raven. Are any allusions? Look them up and find out! (if its too much just choose 1 page or section)

Theme What is a theme? - A theme is usually about society, life, or human nature, but can be anything else. - Themes are the fundamental or universal ideals explored by an author. - Themes are usually implied rather than explicitly stated.

How to Find a Theme Good News! There is often more than one in a writing. So even if you have a different idea than someone else, you still might be right! Guess at theme. But make an EDUCATED guess. That means, have evidence from the text + your own reasons as to WHY theme is what you think it is. In your groups, what is theme of The Raven? Why do you think so? What is the author’s message…No Goggling for this one!

The Tone What is the author’s attitude (how they fell about) the subject? Who is speaking? How does the speaking make you feel? Why? Race? Sex? Is it the author themselves or have they created a new character? Is that character the author? Who is the speaker talking to? Is the speaker, sad, angry, happy, critical, frustrated? What is the tone of The Raven? Why do you feel that way? No it is not enough to say the video’s music or character. Remember you don’t get a video when you read a poem normally.

Structure How is the poem organized? Are there a number of stanzas (a group of lines in a poem)? Are there formal sections? Does the poet relate the stanzas to one another? Is there an argument? Do you feel the poet is telling you something section by section? If there isn’t a set structure, why do you think that is? What does the structure tell us about the poem The Raven?

Sound and Rhythm and Language Another DAY! For now, compare your analysis of the poem The Raven and your Response to the poem. How are they different? How are they the same? Do you think you could combine these? What would that be like?