How to Read Poetry Effectively

I have been told that English is one of the most richest and nuanced languages there are in the world. And though such a statement was said by my high school literature teacher who may have displayed a bias, I have no doubt to what depth the English language possesses. One word can trigger of countless images, tones, and emotions and may very well differ from one person to the other. So reading poetry can definitely pose as a challenge to many for the ambivalent yet strangely awe-inspiring construction of words. And since it is near impossible and even a bit unorthodox to present a technical formula to decipher poetry, here are some helpful tips from College Board on how to approach poetry. This guideline is called TP-CASTT analysis (pronounced "type cast").

T - Title
It's the first thing everyone does when reading a poem, to glance at the title. However, as opposed to merely glancing at the title, consider what this title may have to do with the poem. You can also tell a lot from the structure of the poem. Are there traditional sonnet stanzas? Choppy, fragmented lines? Long and flowing lines? With these observations is a reader able to get the feel for the poem without initiating their reading.

P - Paraphrase
After reading through the poem one or two times, come to a comfortable understanding of what is literally occurring within the poem. You should be able to tell and translate the poem into your own words.

C - Connotation
Think about the meaning of the poem beyond the literal and consider metaphorical implementations. Finding the deeper connotations can lead you to the meaning of the poem.

A - Attitude
Attitude is the way the subject of the poem is described or expressed. It can be difficult to tell but are some poems that draw a distinct line between the speaker and the poet. It is up to the reader to discern the difference between what is stated and what is truly being said by picking up the tone or attitude of the language.

S - Shifts
Keep in mind shifts in attitudes and even in speakers.

T - Title
After having gone through the previous steps, go back and reconsider the title. However this time analyze on an interpretive level.

T - Themes

The theme of a poem is basically the main idea(s) the poet means to advocate to the reader. Determining the theme can be done by tying together the details, motifs (reoccurring symbols), and archetypes (symbols or ideas that possess a universal meaning). Poetry is very decisive and every little detail can be used as cohesive support to the meaning of a poem.

An additional thing to consider is the audience and occasion for which the poem was written. The time and place of the poem can provide heavy clues for what the poet is advocating in regards to the historical impact of that time.

It's never an easy thing to understand poetry. There are so many styles of writing since the beauty of poetry brings the luxury to freely craft words in order to present an emotion that prose may not be able to achieve. And while this certainly is not a formula, hopefully these tips will aid you in gaining a deeper understanding of poetry.

Credit:
College Board