KS3 ‘How to’ Interpret and understand Poetry

HOW TO INTERPRET POETRY

1. Consider the big themes that might be present 

1. Why have those themes been used?

2. How is the poet presenting them?

3. How might they influence the reader's understanding of the poem?

1. Consider what devices have been used and why 

1. How has the structure been laid out?

2. What are the language devices?

3. How might we interpret the use of these devices

1. What effect is the poet trying to create by using them

2. How does the poet use them for effect on the reader?

3. What specific words and phrases might have alternate connotations / symbols 

1. How does the poem progress?

1. Is there a story to be shared

2. Is there a personal tone to the poem or mood 

3. How does the poet connect with the reader?

HOW TO WRITE AND ANALYSE POETRY 

1. What are the key words in the question?

2. What three ways might we answer the question (this would form as your 3 key points / ideas)

3. What devices can we used to explain and further our explanation of the points 

4. How can we deeply analyse the words and phrases and structural features within the text?

1. What other symbolic meanings / associations might be grasp from it?

5. How does all of this link back to the key words in the question