Poetry is a form of writing that touches a reader’s soul and evokes many emotions. The poet beautifully expresses a story or thought in a few lines that convey deep meanings.
People who love to read poetry prefer to research and write an in-depth analysis of the written piece to understand the whole idea behind the poem.
However, there is a process to write an analysis of a poem.
If you are wondering how to write a poem analysis, then you are in the right place. This article will discuss the necessary things to consider while analyzing a poem and list the 4 essential steps to follow to write a poetry analysis.
Check out the post to learn more.
What is Poetry Analysis?
In literature, poetry is a type of writing that uses style, sound, and rhythm to stir a reader’s emotions, ideas, and imagination.
Poetry analysis is the process of decoding a poem to understand the overall message it is trying to convey. It includes examining the elements, word usage, content, format, tone, etc.
Analyzing a poem helps to comprehend the written piece, its context, themes, and ideas. Interpreting the poem leads to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the written work.
This type of writing explores ideas universally and covers many emotions so the readers become aware of their own sentiments and feel a more profound connection
How to Analyze a Poem?
Before you begin writing a poetry analysis, you need to know how to analyze a poem. You must thoroughly decipher the entire poem for an in-depth understanding of the subject and its background details.
The very first step is to read the poem aloud. Read it slowly and carefully.
I have listed some of the mandatory things to take into consideration for writing a well-articulated poem analysis essay.
Title of the Poem
Most poems have a dedicated title, and you must start from here. A poet chooses a title that aligns with the inner meaning of the poem, and decoding the connection will help to understand the overall message.
The title might tell the basic idea of the poem, so always look for a relation between the title and the content of the written work. You can find the hidden inner meanings.
Although a few poets play with the name of the poem, so ensure to catch the intention.
Background of the Poem
A thorough analysis of a poem needs a background study. The written work must have some story behind its creation, and determining it can help to understand the poem in detail.
Background study includes the period when the poem was written, the topic it is discussing, the author’s story or situation at that time, the motivation behind it, etc.
Maybe the poet was suffering and wrote a poem related to his experience, or he particularly wrote about world issues, war, or love.
This research will give you an idea about the poet’s intent and the poem’s overall meaning.
Structure of the Poem
The structure of the poem is also essential. The components of a structure are verse, rhyme, meter, and line break. Each poem has these elements in a different style.
The author decides the poem’s structure. A poem analysis includes an explanation of the structure, so it is necessary to understand the types before analyzing.
Tone
The tone of poems differs according to the mood or intention of the poets. Its analysis depends on the speaker and the recipient..
Language and Symbols
Poets use figurative language, symbols, and other techniques to make a poem more imaginative and descriptive.
Using metaphor, simile, personification, etc., is a way to make the poem realistic and give it an in-depth meaning so that readers can relate to it personally.
Various language forms and symbols convey intricate thoughts and experiences. The reader must know about these forms and techniques to understand the meaning in detail.
Music
In poetic terms, music means the rhyme and rhythm of the written piece. All components of a poem, such as rhyme, line breaks, meter, rhythm, sound elements, words, etc., contribute together to give the poem a music of its own.
Observe these elements while analyzing to get a vision of the written work.
Purpose of the Poem
You cannot leave the motive behind writing a poem. Every piece is written for a particular purpose; as a reader, you must learn to find it.
The purpose of a poem can be to discuss societal issues, share life experiences, express deep emotions, and more. Reading and understanding the purpose will help to enhance the analysis.
How to Write a Poem Analysis in 4 Simple Steps
After analyzing the poem, you can now easily write a poem analysis. Following a structure will help to write a well-organized and detailed essay. Check out the 4 steps provided below for writing a poem analysis.
- Step 1: Read the poem
- Step 2: Analyze the poem thoroughly and note the necessary details
- Step 3: Create an outline
- Introduction
- Title and Author
- A thesis statement. Key elements to be analyzed
- Main Body
- Background and theme
- Detailed meaning of the poem
- Structure and Tone
- Language forms
- Symbols
- Sound Effects
- Conclusion
- Introduction
- Step 4: Rectify any errors
Following these steps, you can write a good poetry analysis; however, adding your personal opinion about the poem is essential.
Wind-Up
I hope this article on how to write a poem analysis will help you to create a well-detailed analysis of your favorite poem.
Poems are a beautiful way to express emotions, and as readers, we enjoy reading beautiful poetry from famous poets.
What is your favorite poem?