Theme: Poetry often conveys a message through figurative language. The central idea and the subject matter can reveal the underlying theme of a poem.
Language: From word choice to imagery, language creates the mood and tone of a poem. The way language is arranged also impacts the rhythm of a poem.
Sound and rhythm: The syllabic patterns and stresses create the metrical pattern of a poem.
Structure: The framework of a poem’s structure affects how it is meant to be read. A poet sculpts their story around stanzas, line breaks, rhyme patterns, punctuation, and pauses.
Context: The who, what, where, when, and why of a poem can help explain its purpose. Look at these elements to discover the context of a poem.
