Analyzing Poetry

When analyzing _______, we look at the shape of the poem, the number of stanzas, and if there is a rhyme scheme.

Match the following

• Structure

• Is there sensory language? do the words bring out your sense of sight, smell, sound, touch, or taste?

• Imagery

• who is the speaker? what pronouns do we use to figure this out? who is the audience?

• Tone

• Are there similes, metaphors, allusion, hyperboles, etc? are there sound devices like repetition or alliterations?

• Perspective and POV

• what is the speaker's attitude on the topic? how is the reader supposed to feel?

• Language (figurative and diction)

• how many stanzas?

  what's the shape?

  is there a rhyme scheme?

How the reader feels when they read the poem is the ________.

Why is the title important?

• The title provides context for the poem.

• The title helps the reader figure out the topic/subject of the poem.

• The title adds to the Structure of the poem.

• The title tells us who the audience of the poem is.

What is the definition of Theme?

• it is the message of the poem

• it is a summary of the poem

• it is why the author wrote the poem

What is the impact of using a free verse structure in “For Everyone”?

• It creates a predictable rhythm, underscoring the poem’s focus on order and control.

• It restricts the poet's creativity by enforcing rigid form and structure.

• It mirrors the unpredictability of life’s struggles, allowing the poet to express complex emotions without constraint.

• It simplifies the poem’s rhythm and emphasizes rhyme, making the poem easier to follow.

Which of the following best explains the significance of the repetition of the phrase “for everyone” throughout the poem?

• It limits the message, suggesting it’s intended only for a specific group.

• It introduces division, implying that some individuals are not included in the message.

• It emphasizes the universal nature of the poem’s theme, suggesting that its message applies to all individuals regardless of their background.

• It suggests an inward focus, encouraging the reader to reflect personally on the message.

Which of the following best explains how alliteration affects the tone in the line “Sometimes stillness steals the air”?

• It establishes a calm, flowing rhythm that enhances the poem’s reflective tone.

• It slows the pace, creating a moment of introspection that invites deep contemplation.

• It disrupts the tone, introducing an unsettling, chaotic element that conveys tension.

• It creates a formal, structured rhythm, reinforcing the seriousness of the subject matter.

How does the figurative language in “the night swallowed the moon” contribute to the poem’s deeper meaning?

• It represents the overwhelming force of darkness, symbolizing how difficulties can obscure hope and optimism.

• It describes an event in nature with no deeper emotional implications.

• It emphasizes the moon’s insignificance, illustrating the vast, indifferent nature of the universe.

• It contrasts the beauty of the moon with the tranquility of the night, suggesting balance in nature.

How does the lack of rhyme in “For Everyone” contribute to the poem’s themes of resilience and perseverance?

• The absence of rhyme creates an irregular, jarring rhythm, underscoring the difficulty of overcoming challenges.

• It reflects life’s unpredictability, suggesting that struggles and successes do not follow any predictable pattern or formula.

• The absence of rhyme allows for clarity and closure, emphasizing the poem’s message of resolution.

• It leads the poet to focus solely on formal structure, limiting the emotional expression within the poem.