How do I analyse a poem?

When analysing poetry there are many key aspects to look at in order to create depth within your analysis. Firstly start with reading the poem aloud, noticing the way the pace of the poem may slow or speed up, noticing the sounds of the words within the poem and the effects they create. Do certain parts of the poem sound harsher and/or faster? What impact does this have on your perception of the poem? Begin to make ideas about the topic of the poem, and what emotions and/or images are created? 

Secondly begin to look at the rhyme of the poem, does the rhyme of the poem influence the message of the poem? For example, does the poem have irreguar rhyme that impacts the way in which it reads? Consider the narrative of the poem, possibly it is a monologue with a single speaker? How might this impact the readers view of the poem?

GW
Answered by Georgia W. English tutor

1997 Views

See similar English A Level tutors

Related English A Level answers

All answers ▸

Analyse how Shakespeare presents Macbeth's decent into madness


Iqbal Khan’s production of Othello (2015) breaks with tradition in casting both Othello and Iago as black men - in what way does this shift the emphasis of the play?


How to write a powerful introduction in a literature essay


What is the Difference Between a Shakespearian and a Petrarchan Sonnet?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning