Reading poetry closely

Ages 13 to 17 Read alone · about 35 minutes

Read together

Close reading means slowing down: notice word choice, sound, images and structure, and ask why the poet chose them.

A poem can mean more than one thing, but not anything at all. The words set the limits.

Do it

1. Choose a short poem you like, from any language you read, or a Psalm such as Psalm 8.
2. Read it aloud twice. Underline repeated words and strong images.
3. Write four sentences: what happens, what it feels like, how it is built, and what you think it means.
4. Share your reading with someone and compare.

Talk about it

• Which word carries the most weight?
• What would change if one image were removed?

For the grown-up

Poetry builds attention and empathy. Many poems, including the Psalms, deal with pain and doubt. Read them with your teen and let them respond honestly.

Mark as done

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Where this comes from

• National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers, Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (2010), standard RL.9-10.4 (word choice and meaning)
• Vendler, H., Poems, Poets, Poetry: An Introduction and Anthology (Bedford/St. Martin's)

Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Please read it before sharing it with a child.