need A poem A biography of the author Focus A notebook and a pen. Step 1. Research the

author to understand the poem’s context. The period of time the author lived in and

the author's personal experiences often influence their writing. Step 2. Determine the form

of the piece, whether it is a fixed poem that follows a specific structure or written in

free verse. Look for breaks in the form. Poets break a poem's form to emphasize a word or

a line. Step 3. Read the poem and break down the meter, or the stressed and unstressed

syllables of each line. Notice if stressed words have significance. Read the poem several

times, and take notes on particular words or phrases that stand out. Step 4. Identify

how the poet uses devices of sound such as rhyme, repetition, assonance, and alliteration.

Step 5. Look for devices of sense, such as figures of speech, metaphors, similes, visuals,

and symbolism. Determine the meanings of these devices in the poem. Step 6. Determine the

speaker of the poem, and the tone of the piece. Notice if the poet is speaking from personal

experience or from another point of view. Step 7. Form a thesis, or an argument for

the meaning of the poem using what you've observed. Did you know Did you know? Walt

Whitman comforted soldiers in the hospital during the Civil War, and their suffering

provided him with inspiration for his poetry.