Editing How to Annotate a Poem (section)

== Key Literary Elements to Focus On ==
When annotating, pay special attention to certain '''literary elements''' and features of the poem. These will guide you to important insights:

* '''Figurative Language & Imagery:''' Look for metaphors, similes, personification, and symbolism in the poem. These figures of speech create imagery and layers of meaning beyond the literal words. For example, note if the poet compares one thing to another (simile/metaphor) and consider '''what idea that comparison conveys'''. Highlight vivid '''imagery''' – descriptions that appeal to the senses (sight, sound, touch, etc.) – and jot down the feelings or ideas those images evoke. Figurative language is often key to understanding theme and tone.
* '''Diction (Word Choice) and Connotation:''' Notice the author’s '''specific word choices'''. Are they simple or complex? Formal or colloquial? Do certain words have strong '''connotations''' (emotional or cultural associations)? For instance, words like “home” or “grave” carry extra meanings. If a word seems significant, underline it and annotate why (“e.g. uses ‘slithered’ instead of ‘moved’ – connotes snake-like, evil”). Repeated words or unusual vocabulary usually indicate important ideas or motifs, so mark them each time and note the pattern.
* '''Sound Devices:''' Poems are meant to be heard as well as read. Pay attention to sound techniques:
** '''Alliteration:''' repetition of initial consonant sounds (e.g. ''“dark dreary day”'' – repeated '''d''' sound). Mark alliteration by circling the first letters (How to Annotate a Poem - Great Tips and Examples) and note how it affects the poem’s sound or rhythm (it might create a musical effect, or emphasize those words).
** '''Assonance and Consonance:''' repetition of vowel sounds (assonance) or consonant sounds (consonance) within words or at word endings (e.g. ''“mellow wedding bells”'' has assonance in the '''e''' sound). Underline or highlight these and consider the mood they set (soft, harsh, melodic?).
** '''Onomatopoeia:''' words that imitate sounds (like ''“buzz,” “whisper,” “bang”''). These often draw attention – mark them and note their impact (they can make the description more vivid or intense).
** '''Rhyme Scheme:''' If the poem has end rhymes, identify the '''pattern of rhyme''' by labeling lines with letters (A, B, C...). For example, in a four-line stanza where lines 1 and 3 rhyme and 2 and 4 rhyme, the rhyme scheme is ABAB (How to Annotate a Poem - Great Tips and Examples). Annotate this and consider why the poet chose that pattern (does it create harmony, a sing-song quality, or contrast with serious content?).
** '''Rhythm & Meter:''' Listen for the '''beat''' of the poem. Does it have a steady meter (like iambic pentameter: da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM) or is it irregular? If you can identify the meter, mark the stressed (<code>/</code>) and unstressed (<code>×</code>) syllables on a line or two. Note any deviations from the pattern – they’re often intentional. Also consider if the rhythm is fast, slow, choppy, smooth, and write an observation (“rhythm slows here – perhaps to emphasize sorrow”).
* '''Structure and Form:''' Mark structural elements and think about their purpose:
** '''Stanzas and line breaks:''' How is the poem divided? Each stanza might serve a function (new idea or image). Jot a quick summary of each stanza’s main point in the margin. Note if lines '''break unexpectedly''' – this could be enjambment (How to Annotate a Poem - Great Tips and Examples), which may speed up the poem or highlight a split idea. Also, look for '''caesura''' (a strong pause in the middle of a line, often indicated by punctuation like a comma or dash) and consider its effect (perhaps a pause for thought or a dramatic break).
** '''Form:''' Identify if the poem follows a known form (sonnet, villanelle, haiku, free verse, etc.). For example, if it’s a sonnet (14 lines, often with a specific rhyme scheme), note that. Form can inform content; for instance, a sonnet might indicate a focus on love or a tight argument structure. If it’s free verse (no set rhyme or meter), the poet might be aiming for a more natural or conversational tone. '''Annotate the form''' next to the title or at the bottom (“Form: Shakespearean sonnet” or “Form: free verse”) (How should I annotate a poem? | MyTutor).
** '''Punctuation & Layout:''' Treat punctuation as part of the structure. A period in the middle of a line or a lack of punctuation can be meaningful. If you see unusual punctuation (like an em dash, exclamation, or ellipsis), circle it and think about why it’s there (“dash – indicates an interruption or shift”). Also, the '''visual layout''' of the poem on the page (long lines vs. short, shape of the poem) can be noted if relevant (some poems are concrete or shaped in a certain way for effect).
* '''Tone and Mood:''' As mentioned in the steps, tone is the speaker’s attitude (e.g. angry, nostalgic, sarcastic, mournful) and mood is the feeling the reader gets (e.g. peaceful, ominous, joyful). Mark words that strongly convey emotion or attitude and write tone words in your notes. If the poem contains '''dialogue or a specific voice''', annotate who is speaking (the “speaker” is not always the poet – note the persona). For example, if the poem is an old man’s lament, the tone might be wistful or bitter – write that down. Also consider if the tone is consistent or if it changes (look for “shift” words like ''“but,” “yet,” “however,”'' which often signal a change in tone or perspective). Mark any '''tone shifts''' and describe the change (“tone shifts from celebratory to solemn after this stanza”). Noting tone and mood will help you infer the poem’s emotional core and purpose.
* '''Theme and Message:''' Ultimately, your annotations should help you uncover the poem’s themes. '''Themes''' are the central topics or ideas (love, death, war, friendship, etc.), while the '''message''' or '''lesson''' is what the poem says about those themes (e.g., “love is fleeting,” “war dehumanizes people”). Use your notes on imagery, diction, and tone to infer themes. Write down possible theme statements in the margin or at the end. You might find multiple themes; list them or highlight lines that support each. For example, if you suspect a theme of '''nature’s power''', highlight all references to nature and note how they contribute to that idea. If there’s a '''moral or lesson''', note it once you figure it out. Themes might not be explicitly stated, so your annotations of literary elements will collectively point to them. Summarizing the theme in a sentence (as suggested in the steps above) can be a helpful annotation too ().

By focusing on these key elements as you annotate, you ensure that you’re examining the poem from all angles: language, sound, structure, tone, and meaning (Elements of Poetry - Elements of Poetry From poemanalysis/poetry ...). Each element offers clues to the poem’s overall effect and message, and your marginal notes will capture those clues for later analysis.
Description	What you type	What you get
Italic	''Italic text''	Italic text
Bold	'''Bold text'''	Bold text
Bold & italic	'''''Bold & italic text'''''	*Bold & italic text*