Reading a poem :
Reading a poem The best way to enjoy poetry is to read it aloud.
Read the whole poem then try to understand what the author is saying.
When reading poetry, think of your hand and its five fingers. Each finger represents one essential part in the strategy of reading poetry.
Finger One :
Finger One Question - ask yourself questions about the poem- such as:
Why do the characters act as they do?
How will the events turn out?
What does the poet seem to say to you?
What effect does this poem have on you?
Finger Two :
Finger Two Clarify - stop to understand the meaning of words you may not know.
Remember – many words have more than one meaning, so allow your mind to think of alternate meanings for words.
Has the poet used a word figuratively or literally?
Finger Three :
Finger Three Listen - poetry has music to it.
What music is created by the poem?
Is repetition used?
What effect do literary devices create within the poem?
Finger Four :
Finger Four Summarize – take a moment to try to mentally summarize what the poet has said.
Stop at different intervals within the poem to reflect.
Often a good place to reflect is at the end of a stanza or refrain.
Finger Five :
Finger Five Paraphrase – at the end of the poem, put the meaning of the poem into your own words
Restate what you think the poem means.
Should be a short summary of the meaning of the poem to you
Can be written, spoken, or simply a reflection
Strategy :
Strategy This hand strategy should be followed whenever you are trying to determine the author’s intended meaning in a poem.
Question
Clarify
Listen
Summarize
Paraphrase