How to Write a Poetry Analysis Paper

Analyze poetic devices in a close reading of a poem.

Writing a poetry analysis paper requires you to analyze, or discuss in minute detail, how the language of a poem contributes to its meaning. You will most often be graded on your ability to correctly identify poetic devices (metaphor, imagery, meter) as well as to offer very detailed close readings of the poem.

You will also have to organize your paper according to a thesis, not simply a line-by-line commentary on the poem.

Things You'll Need

• Copy of the poem
• List of poetic devices (from class or a textbook)

Instructions

1. Read the poem silently to yourself, then read it out loud. Then read it once more silently. You do not have to memorize a poem to write convincingly about it, but you should know it fairly thoroughly.

2. Decide what you think the poem is about. If you are absolutely mystified, consider writing a paraphrase, which is a line-by-line "translation" of the poem into plain language. Once you've made a general decision about the poem's meaning, write it down so that you can refer to it as you look at the details of the poem.

3. Pay special attention to unusual words. It is often helpful to ask yourself what the most important word in a line, couplet, or stanza is. You can also look for words with unusual connotations. Make a note of these, especially if the word suggests something that you didn't expect to see.

4. Identify examples of poetic devices. In the margins, simply make a note of what kinds of poetic devices you find. Don't worry about explaining them quite yet.

   Keep a list of poetic devices handy. If your instructor has emphasized certain devices above others, such as metaphor and imagery, put those at the top of the list. Otherwise, look at the link in the Resources section for some of the most common poetic terms.

5. Mark lines which most directly speak about the meaning of the poem. These lines will probably be most useful in supporting your thesis. Place a different mark by the lines that remain confusing or mysterious. Return to these last.

6. Draft your paper by writing down your thesis from Step 2, and try to support your interpretation of the poem by explaining the lines you marked in Step 5. Be sure to mention not only what the lines mean, but also how the specific language helps make that meaning; refer to Steps 3 and 4 for help with this.

7. Return to the lines that confused you. Decide how you can make them fit what you think the poem means. Be creative with this part, and don't be afraid of coming up with an outlandish idea. If you think there is no way to make these lines fit the poem, consider changing the meaning you wrote down in Step 2 to incorporate them.

8. Begin your paper with your thesis. Support the thesis with a citation of lines and their meaning. Finally add how examples of poetic devices emphasize the details and meaning of the poem.

Tips & Warnings

• Write as much usable information from the poem as possible.

• If your poem has a clear and regular rhythm (i.e., it is not free verse), it may help to scan the poem and classify its meter.

• Steer away from abstract ideas without textual support. Cite the poem's actual language.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Read this Article in Spanish
• Higher Ed: List of Poetic Terms