What are the pictures in the poem?

Select one of the poems listed above.. Read it and then complete the following response guide.

Name of the poem:

Point One: Explore the Themes of the Poem

  • Try to group the ideas in the poem.  Is there a story that the poem tells?
  • What do you think the poem is about?

Point Two: Imagery used to express themes

  • What are the pictures in the poem?
  • Are metaphors/similes used to explain ideas?
  • Are the five senses used to evoke certain reactions in the reader?

Point Three: Form and Structure

  • How is the poem organized e.g. lines, verses, layout and shape.
  • Why has the poet decided to structure the ideas in this way e.g. the sequence of ideas, length of lines, patterns etc.?

Point Four: Rhyme and Rhythm

  • How does the poem rhyme? E.g. abab or aabb etc.
  • What is the rhythm of the poem when read aloud?
  • Why has the poet chosen this rhyme and rhythm to express these ideas?

Point Five: Language Patterns

  • Think about the sound of the poem and choice of words.
  • The poet uses specific words because they have a certain association in the reader’s mind.

Grading:
You will be assessed on how well you completed the assignment listed above. This is about picking a poem apart and getting at the truth of it. Do just that. This assignment is worth 100 points.