There are many essential steps in reading a poem; continue reading to find out my top 7 tips!
1) Reading a poem asks you to pay attention.
Eliminate any distractions so you can be able to stay concentrated and focused on your reading.
2) “When you read a poem, always read it out loud.”
Reading poetry aloud can deepen your understanding and engagement with the text. Moreover, poems read aloud tend to sound different then poems read silently.
3) Read the poem slowly.
Take your time, there’s no rush.
4) Pay attention to punctuation.
The punctuation in the line of a poem plays a very important role in the fluency of the poem, especially when you’re reading aloud.
5) This might sound difficult, but you should always try to separate the poem from the author.
Doing so will allow you to relate to the topic more and feel a stronger connection to the meaning of the poem.
6) If you don’t understand the poem, re-read it as many times as you can.
Reading a poem for the first time can often be confusing, yet re reading may improve your understanding.
7) And last but not least, take notes!
If you find a literary element, underline it! Don’t understand the meaning of a word? Highlight it! This tip helps a lot, especially when you have to analyze the poem.
Works Cited:
Yakich, Mark. “Reading a Poem: 20 Strategies.” The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2014, www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/11/how-to-read-poetry-a-step-by-step-guide/380657/.
love, We Heart It | Get lost in what you. “Lang Leav Poetry Aesthetic on We Heart It.” We Heart It, weheartit.com/articles/327732900-lang-leav-poetry-aesthetic. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.
