Getting better at poetry

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Do you guys have any tips or advice as to how to get better at analyzing poetry from different time periods? </p>

<p>I've been doing some work for my AP English class this last week, and I've realized how bad I am with poetry. I've never been too good at English compared to other subjects. I can write decently, analyzing prose is much easier, and I enjoy reading for fun, but poetry just doesn't make a lick of sense to me. </p>

<p>I've looked at the tips from practice books and I've listened to tips from the teacher, but they really don't help me at all.</p>

<p>Some of the tips I've heard:
-identify the speaker
-look for the setting of the poem
-look for strucutre and how it relates to meaning
-look for figurative language and images
-look for repetition</p>

<p>Stuff like that, but it's never helped me.</p>

<p>How did you get better at poetry (if you ever struggled with it)?</p>

<p>I'd like to hear in particular from those who found it difficult at some point, and not from those who simply "get it," but any responses would be appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Just analyze more poems....just like reading comprehension.</p>

3

<p>yup...okay this is my secret...
I DRAMATICALLY increased analyzing poetry by using Barrons SAT II book for lit and composition for about 2 years....
AH MAZING!!!</p>

4

<p>My English teacher from last year gave us this six-step method for analyzing poetry (I found it really useful):</p>

<ol>
<li>What can you infer about the poem just by looking at its title?</li>
<li>Define any words you don't know</li>
<li>Summarize the poem in 3 sentences or less</li>
<li>Find two literary methods used in the poem (repetition, parallel structure, similie, metaphor, allusion, euphony, etc.) and give examples of where each occurs</li>
<li>In a few words, describe the tone of the poem</li>
<li>In 3 or 4 sentences, describe the themes of the poem</li>
</ol>