When you know the basics, critiquing a poem is actually easier to do then most people think. In this 'How To' we'll be using one of my poems to practice on. Follow the steps and then let me know how it went by submitting a comment. For more information on understanding poetry, please take a look at my 'Distinguish Different Styles of Poetry' article.
Instructions
1. Read the poem shown below and then re-read it 2 to 3 times. Read it out loud as well; this will give you a better idea of the 'flow' of the poem.
My Grandmother's Sweater
The crispness of the morning
awaken the sleeping robins.
The sun peeks out from the horizon
as I put on my grandmother's sweater.
I turn and face the body
wasted of life
tired eyes looking back
full of pain.
The other day my sister asked me,
"Which way does the grass grow?"
Down into the ground, I think
as I snuggle deeper into my grandmother's sweater.
"What's life all about?" she asked me next.
Love. Death. Pain. I think,
as they lay her into the ground.
I feel nothing
as the sun shines down
upon the crosses in a row
only comfort in my grandmother's sweater.
2. Determine what style of poetry it is. For example, is it free-verse or rhyming? (for more styles, see the Resources section). Along with this, look at the structure, punctuation and pauses of the poem. Certain forms have limits on the amount of syllables on each line (i.e. Haiku-three short lines; first line contains five syllables, the second line seven syllables and the third line five syllables).
3. Determine what voice is being used (i.e. is it first person or third person?). Is it descriptive or narrative?
4. Determine the theme and mood of the poem. What is the poem about? What is the mood of the poem or the mood that the poet is trying to portray? Read the poem again and make note of the emotions you feel (a good poem will evoke an emotion in its readers).
5. Look at the meaning of the poem. Is it underlying or obvious?
6. What techniques did the poet use, if any? For example, does the poem contain symbolism, irony, metaphors, and/or similes?
7. Break it up. Look at each verse separately and determine if everything (i.e. form, voice) is consistent throughout them all.
8. Put it all together. Now you should be able to write a critique of the poem starting with the basics (i.e. voice, style, flow), then moving on to the nature of the poem, the emotions it evokes and finally, whether or not it has been put together properly (and successfully).
