Which of these is the last step you should take when analyzing a poem? <em>You haven't given options, so I'll give you the steps used in the USA to take when analyzing a poem.</em>
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Answer:
1. Read the poem aloud multiple times
Reading a poem aloud is necessary for analysis. It’s important to read a poem multiple times before attempting to dig for deeper meanings. Pay close attention to the rhythm and punctuation of the poem, the stressed and unstressed syllables
2. Review the title
The title often contains important clues for understanding the piece. After reading the poem, reflect on the title and determine how or if it relates to your understanding of the work.
3. Identify the speaker
The speaker is a character, just like in a novel or play. The speaker will not always reveal a name, but using context clues, you can determine the persona, point of view, and the audience the speaker is addressing.
4. Consider the mood and tone
Once you’ve identified the speaker, you’ll have more insight into the attitude or mood of the poem. Consider the speaker’s tone and delivery. For instance, does the speaker’s voice change throughout the piece? Is the voice active or passive? Are they speaking directly to the reader or to another character?
5. Highlight the use of poetic devices
eg. metaphor, simile, assonance, onomatopoeia, personification etc.
6. Try paraphrasing
Before writing your analysis, it may be helpful to rewrite the poem in your own words. Work through the lines of the poem one by one. Now that you’ve become familiar with the poet’s figurative language and use of poetic devices, you’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned to determine what’s at the heart of the piece.
7. Identify the theme
After paraphrasing, you should now have a better idea of the ideas of the poem. From those ideas, you’ll be able to create a theme. Essentially, the theme of a poem is the message the poet is trying to convey. A theme will often relate to a bigger idea or a universal truth.
