How to read poetry?

Poetry can be a challenge to read. Poems can be interpreted several different ways. Also, poets often include a basic meaning called a literal meaning, as well as a secondary or hidden meaning. Reading poetry will be easier if you use the following guidelines.

• Research the author.
• Read a poem aloud twice.
• Read a poem aloud a third time for the main idea.
• Highlight important details.
• Highlight difficult or new words or phrases.
• Determine the point of view (narrator).
• Determine the intended audience.
• Find the rhyme scheme.
• Find and name the rhythm.
• Find figures of speech or literary devices.
• Evaluate the over all effectiveness of the poem.

What types of poetry are there?

Narrative

Narrative poems tell stories. They may vary in style, use of rhyme, and rhythm. Epic poems tend to be longer poems with emphasis on the plot of the story. Epic poems often deal with adventures and heroes. The story centers around the hero’s ability to reach a major achievement. The Ballad also tells a story and is a narrative poem.