Poetry Analysis Guide

1 — Read the poem, and start S. I. F. T. I. N. G.

As you read a poem for the first time, you will quickly realise that
you have to re-read that poem again and again, to dig deeper
and analyse it fully. One of the most effective methods for analys-
ing a poem comprehensively can be summarized using the fol-
lowing acronym: S.I.F.T.I.N.G. The SIFT or SIFTING method is
outlined in detail in the table below: to sift: to examine (sth.) thoroughly so
as to isolate that which is important.

2 — The S. I. F. T. I. N. G. Method for Analysing Literature (and Poetry):

An person, place, thing, or idea that means one thing, and stands for
S1 Symbol something else in this work.

How the structure (the rhyme scheme, the sequence of events, etc.) impacts
S2 Structure the feeling and meaning of this work.

I Imagery Descriptive language that paints a picture in one’s mind.

Figurative Literary and poetic devices that evoke feeling and meaning (alliteration,
F
Devices rhyme, irony, foreshadowing, personification, etc.)
The mood that is evoked by the work and/or the overall attitude of the narra-
T1 Tone tor/author.

Turning Pivotal point(s) where tone, plot or theme change(s). Turning points might be
T2
Point(s) a shift in point of view, the high point of conflict in a story, shift in tone, etc.

The big-picture-message or point of a work. What is the work’s overall

T3 Theme message about its subject?

Based on evidence (in a work or about an author or a work), reasoning, and

I1 Inference feeling, what conclusions do you draw about the work?

“So what?” What might be the significance or importance of the style,

I2 Impact content, biases, and/or themes of this work (for the author, for different
readers at different times and places, for history, and for you).

The narrator is the person telling the story. What difference does it make
Narrator(s) that this person, (with a particular character/position/biography), is telling
N
/ Author(s) the story? What difference does it make when and where the author lived
(historical context), and what the narrator’s/author’s status in society is/was?

Into what category (e.g. humour, horror, etc.) can this work be classified?
G Genre Why do you think the author(s) chose this genre to convey these messages?

Alexander Myers
agzmyers@gmail.com
3 — It’s Your Turn: Applying the S. I. F. T. I. N. G. Method for Analysing Poetry:

S1 Symbol

S2 Structure

I Imagery

Figurative
F
Devices

T1 Tone

Turning
T2
Point(s)

T3 Theme

I1 Inference

I2 Impact

Narrator(s)
N
/ Author(s)

G Genre

Alexander Myers English, Grades 7-12 agzmyers@gmail.com