Analyzing a Poem - Quickwrite

When first analyzing a poem, just look throught it. The first time reading it, quickly and casually. The second time, carefully and slowly, stopping at certain points. Then you can start to find figures of speech: similie is easy; metaphor is okay; personification, alliteration, etc. To get a deeper meaning of the poem, read even more carefully and try reading it out loud or in your mind. With the most difficult part, try to form an image out of the words. Connect the seemily meaningless words and sentences with something else, or find something similar to it. You can also listen to other people's interpretations. See how they feel about the poem and what they come up with. Then come up with your own feelings and interpretations toward the poem.