Active Reading Strategies for a Poem

Active Reading Strategies for Reading a Poem

Listen - Read the poem aloud. Breathe when there is punctuation. Note the rhythm and how it affects mood. Listen for special sounds within words.

Sense - Imagine the sights, sounds, smells, taste, and sense of touch within the poem.

Question - Note the questions the poem raises. Ask yourself what it is about, what words or phrases mean, and why the poet chose the language she/he did.

Clarify - Summarize or paraphrase. Find the meaning of symbolic language.

Interpret - Share the poem with others. Read it aloud and talk about the meaning. Connect the title to the meaning. Identify a theme or “big idea.