““BREAKING IT DOWN”BREAKING IT DOWN”

Thayer’s Approach to Thayer’s Approach to Analyzing a PoemAnalyzing a Poem

The First ReadThe First Read

Your first time through you should:Your first time through you should:Read, Enjoy and Absorb what you canRead, Enjoy and Absorb what you canMake preliminary guesses about what it Make preliminary guesses about what it

means, but don’t form any permanent ideas.means, but don’t form any permanent ideas.

The Second ReadThe Second Read

““Structure and Sound”Structure and Sound”Look for:Look for:

Rhyme Rhyme AlliterationAlliterationAssonanceAssonanceConsonanceConsonanceOnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeiaRepetition of words or phrasesRepetition of words or phrases

The Third ReadThe Third Read

““Figurative Language”Figurative Language”Then you will look for any:Then you will look for any:

MetaphorsMetaphorsSimilesSimilesHyperbolesHyperbolesImageryImageryPersonificationPersonificationDictionDiction

The Fourth ReadThe Fourth Read

““Meaning”Meaning”NOW you will start to look for what you think NOW you will start to look for what you think

the poem means.the poem means.Don’t be afraid to completely abandon your Don’t be afraid to completely abandon your

original idea about what you thought it meant.original idea about what you thought it meant.

The Fifth ReadThe Fifth Read

““Anything You Missed”Anything You Missed”Reading the poem several times will help you Reading the poem several times will help you

find elements you missed during the previous find elements you missed during the previous read. read.

Also, look for any AllusionsAlso, look for any AllusionsDon’t forget to address the poem’s Tone and Don’t forget to address the poem’s Tone and

PurposePurpose

REMEMBER:REMEMBER:

Your analysis is graded on two partsYour analysis is graded on two parts1) conventions (steps 2 & 3)1) conventions (steps 2 & 3)

or “HOW the poem means”or “HOW the poem means”

2) Meaning (steps 1, 4 & 5)2) Meaning (steps 1, 4 & 5)

or “WHAT” the poem means”or “WHAT” the poem means”

Lastly…Lastly…

Contrary to what some people believe…Contrary to what some people believe…

THERE IS NOT ONE “RIGHT” ANSWERTHERE IS NOT ONE “RIGHT” ANSWER

The beauty of poetry is that The beauty of poetry is that

ANY INTERPRETATION IS POSSIBLE ANY INTERPRETATION IS POSSIBLE

if you can explain it if you can explain it

with EVERY LINE of the poem. with EVERY LINE of the poem.

Though your interpretation may not match Though your interpretation may not match what the poet intended, it is not any less what the poet intended, it is not any less right or valid.right or valid.

Each person may get something different Each person may get something different from a poem, and that is ok.from a poem, and that is ok.

So don’t be afraid to take a chance. You So don’t be afraid to take a chance. You have nothing to lose.have nothing to lose.