How to Analyse Poetry: A Step-by-Step Guide for GCSE English Students

Poetry analysis can sometimes feel like trying to crack a secret code. Why did the poet use that word? What does this image mean? How does the structure affect the message? If you’ve ever stared at a poem in a GCSE exam or coursework assignment, feeling unsure where to begin, don’t worry—you’re not alone!

Let’s go over a step-by-step approach to analysing poetry, helping you break it down into manageable parts. By the end, you’ll feel more confident tackling any poem that comes your way.

 

1. Read the Poem (More Than Once!)

 

The first step to understanding any poem is to read it carefully. And then read it again. Poems are often packed with layers of meaning, so a single reading won’t always reveal everything.

 

Try these techniques on your first and second reads:

 

First read – Get a general sense of the poem. What is it about? What emotions does it create?

Second read – Look for details. Which words or phrases stand out? How does the poem make you feel?

It can also help to read the poem aloud. Poetry is meant to be heard, and sometimes the sound of the words adds to the meaning.

 

2. Understand the Meaning

 

Once you’ve read the poem a couple of times, ask yourself: What is this poem actually about?

Start with the literal meaning – what is happening in the poem on the surface? Then, move on to the deeper meaning – what ideas, emotions or messages might the poet be exploring?

For example, in Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est, the literal meaning is that soldiers are suffering in the trenches, but the deeper meaning is a critique of the idea that war is glorious.

If you’re unsure, summarise each stanza (or even each line) in your own words. This can help clarify the poem’s overall message.

 

3. Identify the Speaker and Audience

 

Poems often have a speaker—but that doesn’t necessarily mean the poet is speaking directly to us! Ask yourself:

 

Who is the speaker? (Is it the poet, a character, or an anonymous voice?)

Who is the poem’s intended audience? (Is the poet speaking to a lover, the reader, or even themselves?)

 

For example, in Carol Ann Duffy’s Before You Were Mine, the speaker is a daughter addressing her mother, imagining her mother’s life before she was born. This perspective adds an emotional depth to the poem.

 

4. Explore the Poem’s Structure

 

The way a poem is put together is just as important as the words themselves. Look at:

 

Stanza structure – Are the stanzas regular or irregular? Does this reflect the poem’s themes?

 

Line length and punctuation – Are the lines long and flowing, or short and abrupt? Is there enjambment (lines running into each other) or caesura (pauses within lines)?

 

Rhyme and rhythm – Does the poem rhyme? If so, is there a pattern? Does the rhythm feel smooth, chaotic, or natural?

 

For instance, the irregular structure of Simon Armitage’s Remains mirrors the disjointed and unsettling memories of a soldier suffering from PTSD.

 

5. Analyse Language and Imagery

 

Poets carefully choose every word to create meaning, so language analysis is crucial. Look for:

 

Key words and connotations – What do individual words suggest beyond their basic meaning?

Figurative language – Does the poem use similes, metaphors, or personification? How do they enhance the themes?

Sensory imagery – Are there descriptions appealing to sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell?

 

For example, in Seamus Heaney’s Mid-Term Break, the phrase “A four foot box, a foot for every year” is a simple yet devastating metaphor for the death of a four-year-old child.

 

6. Consider the Tone and Mood

 

Think about how the poem feels. The tone is the speaker’s attitude, while the mood is the overall atmosphere. Ask:

 

Is the poem joyful, melancholic, bitter, hopeful, nostalgic?

Does the tone shift at any point? (For example, does it start off calm but become angry or sad?)

 

In Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley, the tone is initially grand and boastful but shifts to irony and decay, reinforcing the theme that power is fleeting.

 

7. Think About Themes and Messages

 

Every poem has a purpose. What ideas or messages does the poet explore? Common GCSE poetry themes include:

 

Love and relationships (Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

Conflict and war (The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson)

Power and control (My Last Duchess by Robert Browning)

Nature and the passage of time (To Autumn by John Keats)

 

Once you’ve identified a theme, think about how the poet presents it. Do they challenge traditional ideas? Do they use contrasts or juxtapositions to make a point?

 

8. Make Connections to Context

 

Many poems are influenced by historical, social, or personal contexts. Consider:

 

When was the poem written?

What was happening in the poet’s life or the wider world at the time?

Does this change how we interpret the poem?

 

For example, Wilfred Owen’s war poetry is deeply influenced by his experiences in World War I, making his descriptions of the horrors of war more powerful and authentic.

 

9. Develop a Personal Response

 

A strong poetry analysis isn’t just about identifying techniques—it’s about your own interpretation. Ask yourself:

 

What do you think the poem is really about?

Which aspects of the poem stood out to you most?

How does it make you feel, and why?

 

Examiners love to see personal engagement with a poem. There’s no single “correct” answer—what matters is how well you support your ideas with evidence from the text.

 

10. Practise Writing About Poetry

 

Finally, the best way to improve your poetry analysis skills is to practise writing about poetry. When writing an exam response or essay, remember to:

1. Use PEE paragraphs (Point, Evidence, Explanation) – Make a clear point, back it up with a quote, and explain its effect.

2. Focus on techniques – Don’t just say “the poet uses metaphors”, explain why and how they add to the meaning.

3. Compare poems effectively (if required) – Look for similarities and differences in themes, language, and structure.

 

A good response to Ozymandias might say:

“Shelley uses imagery to highlight the temporary nature of power. The ‘colossal wreck’ suggests that the once-great statue has crumbled, symbolising the fall of Ozymandias’ empire. This links to the poem’s wider theme that human power is ultimately insignificant against time.”

 

Final Thoughts

 

Analysing poetry doesn’t have to be intimidating! By breaking it down step by step—reading carefully, exploring language and structure, considering context, and developing your own interpretation—you’ll build confidence in tackling any poem.

So next time you’re faced with an unseen poem or a tricky exam question, take a deep breath, follow these steps, and trust your instincts.

As ever, if you feel a little extra help is needed, we are here to help! English tutoring can help students grow in both confidence and ability.  Feel free to contact us for more details.