Poem and Lyric Analysis
Step by Step Worksheet for Depth of Understanding
All must be written as sentences on separate paper as well as the final response.
1) Aesthetic Part I:
Experience the poem or lyrics out loud.
Explain why you enjoyed disliked or found it neutral?
2) Subject:
What do you initially think the subject is about? Give a minimum of one reason.
Literal Meaning:
If this was written as sentences what would it actually say?
3) Plot
Is there a sequence of events in the poem?
4) Dialogue
Who speaks in the poem and who are they speaking to?
5) Conflict:
Identify the central problem or conflict.
Does the conflict remain at the end?
6) Characters:
Identify and describe the characters and describe the speaker / performer
7) Imagery:
Identify descriptions that are involving the five senses.
8) Metaphor and Simile:
Identify Metaphor and Simile.
9) Language:
Identify the complexity of the words used. Identify any slang used.
Identify words with double meanings.
Identify any words repeated or used in an unusual or striking way.
10) Historical Context:
Identify the time period it was written.
Identify any social or political connection.
Identify the popularity or controversy if it exists.
11) Author
Does the poet write about the poem?
Does the poet’s identity help us understand the poem?
12) Current Context:
Identify any similarities with historical context.
Identify any changes or departures from original meaning.
Identify any connections of the performer to the meaning.
13) Setting:
Identify the setting.
14) Influences:
Identify any influences or allusions (references or quotes):
15) Deeper Meaning:
Identify any deeper meaning found after analysis.
16) Possible Meanings:
Does the poem change as words might be defined or understood differently?
Are there groups who would not “get” the meaning of the poem because of education, class, sex, prejudice, etc…?
What misunderstanding of the poem would be most common?
17) Dialogue
Who speaks in the poem and who are they speaking to?
FINAL ASSIGNMENT
Experience the piece in light of your analysis: then, describe your feelings about in a well-developed response.