Reading the Poem

Sound & Sense (p. 24, 25) lists the following five points that may help you when reading a poem:

1. Read a poem more than once.
2. Keep a dictionary by you and use it.
3. Read so as to hear the sounds of the words in your mind.
4. Always pay close attention to what the poem is saying.
5. Practise reading the poem aloud. ("Read it affectionately, but not affectedly" and do not read it in a "monotone" or with "artificial flourishes and vocal histrionics."

(Later in the semester you may be required to do a presentation. Knowing how to read a poem well will then be of benefit.)

Of course, the main reason you read poetry in this course is to understand it better. When you first read a poem, look for the central idea or theme. Also ask yourself, what is the central purpose of the poem? and by what means is that purpose achieved?