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Free Poem Analysis Generator

Stuck with poem analysis? No worries! Use this free Poem Analysis Generator that will ease your work and sort out all of the elements in your poem. Paste the text and press the button – it's as simple!

Creating a poem analysis can be tricky as poetry is sometimes hard to understand and interpret. This is the point where our tool will come in handy! The poem analysis generator can help you analyze the poem’s theme, literary devices, structure, and many more!

Read on to learn how to use our poetry analysis generator , its main benefits, and practical tips on writing an effective poem analysis!

• 🪶 How to Use the Tool?

✒️ Things to Analyze in a Poem

✍️ how to write a good poem analysis, 🌟 poem analysis tool: benefits, 🔗 references, 🪶 how to use the poem analysis generator.

Not a tech-savvy person? Do not worry! Our poem analysis generator is easy to use:

• Paste the poem. The first thing you need to do is to paste the poem you want to analyze in the appropriate field of our online tool.
• Press the button. Click on the button and wait a couple of seconds.
• Evaluate the result. That’s it! The detailed analysis will be waiting for you below!

There are many ways of analyzing a poem: you can look at it broadly and reveal its meaning, or you can break it down into smaller parts and analyze specific literary devices . In the following paragraphs, we will discuss several elements you can focus on.

Context, Audience, and Purpose

A poem’s structure is how the author presents the poem to the reader. There are 3 key elements you can analyze.

Rhythm, Meter, & Rhyme

Sound Devices

Sound devices are any means authors use to emphasize their poems’ sound. Consider these common types:

• Alliteration is a literary device in which two or more words standing close to each other begin with the same sound. For instance, “we went whale watching.”
• Assonance means repeating vowel sounds in words within a line of poetry. For example, “tree/asleep.”
• Consonance is the reiteration of the same consonant sound within a line of text. For example, “odds and ends.”
• Repetition means using the same word or phrase multiple times in a poem.
• Onomatopoeia is a sound device used in poetry to convey the actual sound of something. For example, “ding dong.”

Imagery is a literary technique that describes things in a way that helps readers accurately picture them in their minds. Below, several types of imagery are defined.

Do you have to write a poem analysis? Don’t panic! You can follow these steps to make the process more manageable:

• Read the poem aloud. While reading, note the poem’s structure, rhythm, meter, themes , and rhyme scheme—everything you may want to discuss in your analysis.
• Summarize the poem . Write a poem summary to help your readers understand what you’re going to analyze.
• Analyze the piece. This step requires lots of attention to detail. Remember the essential components you noted in the first step, such as sound devices, imagery, rhyme, etc. Now, you should consider how these devices work together and give depth to the poem’s meaning.
• Interpret the poem. Interpreting means answering what the poem is all about. Use your analysis from the previous step to support your understanding of the piece.
• Develop a thesis statement. Now that you know what you’re going to write about, you’re ready to create your thesis statement . It should describe the relationship between the poetic elements and their contribution to the poem’s meaning.
• Write about what you have found. Start your paper by stating the author and the poem’s title. Then, present your analysis , using and correctly citing relevant quotes from the poem. Conclude by emphasizing some critical ideas or linking the poem to other literary pieces.

Our poem analysis tool has a lot of benefits for its users.

❓ Poetry Analysis Generator: FAQ

❓ how to write an analysis paper on a poem.

• List potential topics, for example, the plot, setting, theme, imagery, figures of speech, etc.
• Determine what the poem is about.
• Select, organize, and interpret the evidence.
• Create a strong thesis expressing your point of view.
• Write a rough draft.
• Revise and proofread.

❓ How to Write an Introduction Paragraph for a Poetry Analysis?

• Start with a hook to grab readers’ attention.
• Introduce the poem by indicating the title, the author, and a 1-2 sentence summary.
• Explain the significance of the poem: why should we read it?
• End with a strong thesis statement.

❓ What Should a Thesis Statement in a Poetry Analysis Do?

The thesis statement of your analysis must be well-worded and clear. It must state the purpose of your paper and summarize the main arguments. Also, make sure that your thesis statement makes a point, not just indicates that a poet uses specific poetic devices.

Updated: May 17th, 2024

• Analyzing Poetry | Texas A&M University Writing Center
• Writing About Poetry | Hamilton College
• How to Analyze Poetry | CliffsNotes
• Writing About Poetry | Purdue Online Writing Lab
• Writing About Literature | USC Dornsife

Poetry & Poets

Explore the beauty of poetry – discover the poet within

How To Write A Thesis Statement For Poetry Analysis

How to write a thesis statement for poetry analysis

Poetry analysis can be a daunting task for anyone, even seasoned writers and academicians. To help guide you through the process of writing a thesis statement for poetry analysis, there are a few key steps that you need to consider. The process can be broken down into five easy to understand steps so you can produce a well-crafted thesis statement that can be used to effectively write a full essay. The process starts by learning about the author, analyzing the poem’s structure, and researching the background of the poem.

Know Your Poet

The first step in writing a thesis statement for poetry analysis is to learn as much as you can about the poet. Learning about your poet’s style, believes, and intentions can help you gain a better understanding of the poem. It can also give you inspiration for your thesis statement. Focus on what the poet is trying to convey in the piece. Research the poet’s biography and any other related literary works that he or she may have written.

Also, take note of the time period in which the poem was written. Historical context is often an important part of a poet’s work and can help to shed light on the intentions of the poem. Understanding these elements of the poem can help to create a more meaningful thesis statement. It can also allow the reader to see how the poem fits into the greater context of the poet’s works.

Analyze the Poem

The next step in writing a thesis statement for poetry analysis is to analyze the poem. Analyzing the poem allows you to understand the poem’s structure, themes, and identify key words. As you analyze the poem, consider the tone and imagery of the piece. Identify any symbols that might be present. Pay close attention to the meter, rhyme, and stanzas used by the poet.

By thoroughly analyzing the poem you can uncover important aspects of the poem’s writing that should be highlighted in your thesis statement. This analysis can also provide you with insight into the poet’s style and thought processes. Make sure to note any questions that arise during your analysis that could help you to further develop your thesis statement.

Research the Poem

Once you have a better understanding of the poem’s structure, themes, and author, you should begin researching the poem. Do some research into any cultural, philosophical, or theological symbols in the poem, as well as the poem’s possible historical context. Go through the poem line by line, examining any personifications, metaphors, or allusions used by the poet. Take the time to research any allusions or symbols used in the poem.

Finding critical reviews and scholarly articles about the poem can also provide you with important information about the poem that can help you to create a thesis statement. This research can also help you to understand the perspective of the poem’s creator.

Formulate the Thesis Statement

Once you have a thorough understanding of the poem, it’s time to formulate the thesis statement. Start by summarizing the main points that you found during your research, analysis, and reading of the poem. Summarize the main themes, symbols, and other critical aspects of the poem. Use these points to help you develop a single statement that goes beyond simply summarizing the poem.

Formulate a statement that explores the poet’s intent and ideas behind the poem. Focus on how these points are woven into the poem to create a unique, meaningful statement. The thesis statement should be concise, but still reflect the main points of the poem.

Revise the Thesis Statement

The last step in writing a thesis statement for poetry analysis is to revise the thesis statement until it is clear and concise. Take the time to look over the statement and make sure it is an accurate representation of the poem. The statement should not be too general, vague, or difficult to understand.

Ensure that your thesis statement reflects the main ideas of the poem and proofread your statement for any spelling or grammar errors. Once you are satisfied with your statement, you should incorporate it into the introduction of your essay.

Poetry Analysis Techniques

When beginning a poetry analysis, it is important to conduct a close reading of the poem to gain a better understanding of the text. This can be done by carefully examining the various elements of the poem. Some key elements to consider during a close reading include the speaker or narrators, figurative language, repetition, and rhyme scheme.

In addition, look for any possible historical context or underlying messages in the poem. Lastly, consider the poet’s use of symbolism, meter, and allusions when conducting a thorough analysis. By understanding the elements of poetry and taking the time to conduct a thorough analysis, you can easily create a meaningful thesis statement that can be used to effectively write a full essay.

Interpretive Analysis

Interpretive analysis looks for the deeper meaning behind a poem. It attempts to uncover what the poet is trying to convey through his or her work. To conduct an interpretive analysis, focus on the poem’s structure, imagery, and other elements. Consider the language used in the poem and look for any shared themes, ideas, or sentiments.

In addition to the figurative language used in the poem, look at how the speakers, narrators, and characters within the poem interact. Drawing connections between the poem and its underlying themes can help to bring a deeper understanding of the poem to the surface. By taking the time to conduct an interpretive analysis, you can gain a better understanding of the poem and form a more meaningful thesis statement.

Literary Themes

Many poets use recurring literary themes in their work. Some of the most common literary themes in poetry include love, nature, death, and time. In addition to these, poets also use themes surrounding war, religion, identity, and more. By looking at the common themes of the poem, you can get a deeper understanding of the poet’s intent.

Consider the context of the poem to help you find the surrounding themes. Look for any religious or political messages in the poem, as well as any underlying emotions that the poet is attempting to convey. By understanding the poem’s themes, you can create a more meaningful thesis statement.

Symbolism is a common element used in poetry. Symbols can be words, images, or concepts that stand for or represent something else. Symbolism can be used to represent larger themes in the poem or to help convey a certain emotion or feeling. Look for any symbols throughout the poem, paying special attention to which symbols the poet focuses on the most.

Symbols can take on many forms and can have different meanings for different readers. Consider the context of the poem and the time period in which it was written. Think about the meaning of the symbol in the context of the poem and what the poet is attempting to communicate. Analyzing symbolism within a poem can help to form a more meaningful thesis statement.

Conclusions

In conclusion, writing a thesis statement for poetry analysis can be a daunting task. However, by following these five steps you can break the process down into manageable pieces. Start by learning as much as possible about the poet and the poem, then analyze and research the poem. Once you have a better understanding, begin to formulate and revise your thesis statement. By the end of the process, you will have an effective thesis statement that can be used to write a full essay.

Minnie Walters

Minnie Walters is a passionate writer and lover of poetry. She has a deep knowledge and appreciation for the work of famous poets such as William Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and many more. She hopes you will also fall in love with poetry!

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Writing About Poetry

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Writing about poetry can be one of the most demanding tasks that many students face in a literature class. Poetry, by its very nature, makes demands on a writer who attempts to analyze it that other forms of literature do not. So how can you write a clear, confident, well-supported essay about poetry? This handout offers answers to some common questions about writing about poetry.

What's the Point?

In order to write effectively about poetry, one needs a clear idea of what the point of writing about poetry is. When you are assigned an analytical essay about a poem in an English class, the goal of the assignment is usually to argue a specific thesis about the poem, using your analysis of specific elements in the poem and how those elements relate to each other to support your thesis.

So why would your teacher give you such an assignment? What are the benefits of learning to write analytic essays about poetry? Several important reasons suggest themselves:

• To help you learn to make a text-based argument. That is, to help you to defend ideas based on a text that is available to you and other readers. This sharpens your reasoning skills by forcing you to formulate an interpretation of something someone else has written and to support that interpretation by providing logically valid reasons why someone else who has read the poem should agree with your argument. This isn't a skill that is just important in academics, by the way. Lawyers, politicians, and journalists often find that they need to make use of similar skills.
• To help you to understand what you are reading more fully. Nothing causes a person to make an extra effort to understand difficult material like the task of writing about it. Also, writing has a way of helping you to see things that you may have otherwise missed simply by causing you to think about how to frame your own analysis.
• To help you enjoy poetry more! This may sound unlikely, but one of the real pleasures of poetry is the opportunity to wrestle with the text and co-create meaning with the author. When you put together a well-constructed analysis of the poem, you are not only showing that you understand what is there, you are also contributing to an ongoing conversation about the poem. If your reading is convincing enough, everyone who has read your essay will get a little more out of the poem because of your analysis.

What Should I Know about Writing about Poetry?

Most importantly, you should realize that a paper that you write about a poem or poems is an argument. Make sure that you have something specific that you want to say about the poem that you are discussing. This specific argument that you want to make about the poem will be your thesis. You will support this thesis by drawing examples and evidence from the poem itself. In order to make a credible argument about the poem, you will want to analyze how the poem works—what genre the poem fits into, what its themes are, and what poetic techniques and figures of speech are used.

What Can I Write About?

Theme: One place to start when writing about poetry is to look at any significant themes that emerge in the poetry. Does the poetry deal with themes related to love, death, war, or peace? What other themes show up in the poem? Are there particular historical events that are mentioned in the poem? What are the most important concepts that are addressed in the poem?

Genre: What kind of poem are you looking at? Is it an epic (a long poem on a heroic subject)? Is it a sonnet (a brief poem, usually consisting of fourteen lines)? Is it an ode? A satire? An elegy? A lyric? Does it fit into a specific literary movement such as Modernism, Romanticism, Neoclassicism, or Renaissance poetry? This is another place where you may need to do some research in an introductory poetry text or encyclopedia to find out what distinguishes specific genres and movements.

Versification: Look closely at the poem's rhyme and meter. Is there an identifiable rhyme scheme? Is there a set number of syllables in each line? The most common meter for poetry in English is iambic pentameter, which has five feet of two syllables each (thus the name "pentameter") in each of which the strongly stressed syllable follows the unstressed syllable. You can learn more about rhyme and meter by consulting our handout on sound and meter in poetry or the introduction to a standard textbook for poetry such as the Norton Anthology of Poetry . Also relevant to this category of concerns are techniques such as caesura (a pause in the middle of a line) and enjambment (continuing a grammatical sentence or clause from one line to the next). Is there anything that you can tell about the poem from the choices that the author has made in this area? For more information about important literary terms, see our handout on the subject.

Figures of speech: Are there literary devices being used that affect how you read the poem? Here are some examples of commonly discussed figures of speech:

• metaphor: comparison between two unlike things
• simile: comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as"
• metonymy: one thing stands for something else that is closely related to it (For example, using the phrase "the crown" to refer to the king would be an example of metonymy.)
• synecdoche: a part stands in for a whole (For example, in the phrase "all hands on deck," "hands" stands in for the people in the ship's crew.)
• personification: a non-human thing is endowed with human characteristics
• litotes: a double negative is used for poetic effect (example: not unlike, not displeased)
• irony: a difference between the surface meaning of the words and the implications that may be drawn from them

Cultural Context: How does the poem you are looking at relate to the historical context in which it was written? For example, what's the cultural significance of Walt Whitman's famous elegy for Lincoln "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloomed" in light of post-Civil War cultural trends in the U.S.A? How does John Donne's devotional poetry relate to the contentious religious climate in seventeenth-century England? These questions may take you out of the literature section of your library altogether and involve finding out about philosophy, history, religion, economics, music, or the visual arts.

What Style Should I Use?

It is useful to follow some standard conventions when writing about poetry. First, when you analyze a poem, it is best to use present tense rather than past tense for your verbs. Second, you will want to make use of numerous quotations from the poem and explain their meaning and their significance to your argument. After all, if you do not quote the poem itself when you are making an argument about it, you damage your credibility. If your teacher asks for outside criticism of the poem as well, you should also cite points made by other critics that are relevant to your argument. A third point to remember is that there are various citation formats for citing both the material you get from the poems themselves and the information you get from other critical sources. The most common citation format for writing about poetry is the Modern Language Association (MLA) format .

• How to Cite
• Language & Lit
• Rhyme & Rhythm
• The Rewrite
• Search Glass

How to Write a Poem Summary

Taking time to study a poem before writing a poem summary is essential. Researching the background of the poem, like who wrote it and when, will give you vital clues in understanding the poem. Reading the poem at least three times is a good idea. Mark down all your thoughts either on the poem or on paper. For the summary, write paragraphs that show a unit of thought or argument. Including an introduction and conclusion is necessary.

Know the name of the poet and the year in which the poem was written. Explore the implications that these elements have for the poem and include this information in your introduction.

Classify the poem. Consider whether it is an epic, narrative, dramatic or descriptive poem. Epic poetry tends to be lengthy and contains vast universal themes, while a descriptive poem will describe a scene. Narrative poetry is written from the narrative viewpoint of a character.

Continue bringing out the major themes or motifs of the poem and relate this to the type of language used, like identifying alliteration or onomatopoeia. Alliteration is when two syllables of similar sound are used together to create effect and onomatopoeia is when the sound of a word reflects something else.

Determine whether repetition is used to stress something the reader needs to hear or perhaps to create drama. Determine whether literary allusions were used.

Identify imagery in the poem, such as the use of metaphors or similes to describe something in a unique way. Write down what effect this could have on readers.

Write about the overall tone of the poem and the narrative perspective. Decide if the poem is funny or serious. Question if it is written from the perspective of a character in the poem or from the poet's viewpoint. Ask if the poet talking directly to the reader or to somebody else.

Include a conclusion to your summary by pulling together all that you have learned about the poem and make an interpretive statement.

Excellent Poem Summary Generator

If you're dealing with poetry, you may face problems trying to understand its meaning. Realizing and analyzing these aspects can be vital, especially if you're not reading in your leisure time but to complete an assignment for school or college. So, how do you understand a poem? We have a solution! Our poem summary generator will cut down any rhythmical literary piece, regardless of its form and structure.

The size of your summary is: % ( words, characters)

When it comes to poem analysis, our generator can be essential for exploring the literary piece in question. A short summary helps to consider its meaning without being distracted by the form or stylistic devices. In that case, you're basically analyzing prose, which allows you to look at the plot and ideas as they are. After that, you can proceed to examine the poem as a whole.

Our team has provided tips on analyzing poetry and listed its types in the article below. All these recommendations can be useful after you employ our poem summarizer!

📜 Poetry Types That You Should Know

There is a significant number of poems that you may encounter during your studies. All of them have their literary techniques and use different stylistic devices.

Below, we have explained the types you will likely receive as a poetry analysis assignment.

The sonnet is an old poetic form originating in 13th century Italy. William Shakespeare largely popularized it during the Elizabethan age. Thus, two distinct rhyme schemes have emerged – the Italian and the Shakespearean. However, all sonnets have fourteen lines and usually follow the iambic pentameter.

Shakespeare wrote 154 poems in this format. His Sonnet 18 (also known by its opening lines, Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?) is broadly recognized. You can examine its meaning by reading this sample .

An epic poem, also known simply as an epic, is a lengthy story. It typically tells the tale of a hero set out on an adventure. Traditionally, epics have been narrated orally and depended on the poet’s tone to instill a sense of drama.

Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are two of the oldest and most famous examples of epic poetry.

This type of poetry stems from 17th century Japan. It concentrates on the beauty of nature and quiet moments in life. Haikus have a fairly strict organization, as each piece should have only seventeen syllables in total. The sentences are arranged in three lines, following a 5/7/5 structure. However, as time went on, writers have often broken this formula.

One of the most recognized haikus in the West is An Old Silent Pond by Matsuo Bashō, a famous poet from the Edo period.

Acrostics take on a very particular form. Put together, the first letters in each line of the poem spell out a name or a word. Poets use this method to subtly describe someone or something significant to them.

To illustrate, we can take the first letters of each line of An Acrostic by Edgar Allan Poe. The result will spell out ELIZABETH.

Like epics, ballads tell stories, often following the oral tradition. However, what distinguishes this type of poetry is that it may take the form of a song. Also, ballads are commonly based on a folk tale or legend.

Sir Patrick Spens is a famous Scottish poem written by an unknown author. Several versions of it exist in the world, some having a happy ending and some a tragic one.

Visual Poems

Also known as concrete or shape, visual poetry has many names. However, its idea is simple: such poems look a particular way on the page. The words and lines are shaped to form a specific image that reflects the text’s meaning. For example, a poem about the winter holidays might be arranged to resemble a Christmas tree.

The 17th-century poet George Herbert had to print his Easter Wings sideways on two pages. When looked at side-by-side, the wings become evident to the viewer. You can read its analysis in this essay .

Free Verse Poems

Free verse poetry is a bit infamous in the literary circles for being unpredictable and irregular. It doesn’t follow a rhyme scheme and has no set patterns or rhythm. However, it is still poetry and not prose. The text can be about anything, from a ball on the Titanic to your mother’s favorite dinnerware. In a way, the poet and the audience have to work together to connect the written words.

T. S. Elliot composed a widely renowned free verse poem, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, often called the first Modernist literary piece.

Even if we can’t provide a poem analysis, our generator can easily shorten any type of poetry you read.

💡 How to Analyze a Poem: Key Tips

The poem to summary converter above can condense any literary work so that you can understand it easier. However, its detailed analysis is still up to you.

Over here, we have offered some advice on how to analyze a poem :

• Decode the meaning and storyline. Place yourself in the poet’s shoes and try to view the words from their perspective. Narratively speaking, what do you think happens? Read through the poem carefully and find the lines that truly bring out its meaning.
• Examine the rhyme scheme. Usually, it is pretty obvious if a poem has one or not. We typically assign a letter to each line to map out a rhyme scheme. Lines that rhyme have the same letter assigned to them, e.g., ABAB, CDCD, etc.
• Look out for imagery. Poets usually enjoy painting vivid pictures with their words. Find colorful images and analyze what kind of a feeling they evoke in you.
• Consider themes and symbols. Many of them can be hidden even in simple poems. Themes relate directly to symbols, and symbols relate to the imagery. For example, if the author talks about a skull, the object likely represents death.
• Analyze the poem’s structure. The plot, literary devices, and stanzas aren’t the only noteworthy things. Pay close attention to the way the poem is organized on the page. The placement of the line breaks, number of words, and overall composition can significantly contribute to the author’s intention.
• Study the language. The choice of words in a poem is always deliberate. Each phrase may carry significance. Consider how the author plays with the language using different devices, such as similes and metaphors.
• Realize who the narrator is. Think about who is telling the story and how they’re doing so. Does the poet use a first-person, second-person, or third-person perspective? Remember, the author doesn’t necessarily have to be the narrator of the unfolding events.

We hope that you have learned something new from our article. Now, feel free to use our poem summarizer. This convenient online tool will considerably speed up your work process!

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🔗 References

• How to Analyze Poetry: 10 Steps for Analyzing a Poem – MasterClass
• 9 Different Types Of Poems – Imogen Rayfield, Penguin Random House
• Types of Poetry – The Writing Center. Pasco-Hernando State College

Poem Analysis Essay: Guidelines for A+ Paper

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Poems are literary works that shed light on different social and cultural aspects. Therefore, if students want to learn how to write a well-developed poem analysis essay, an essential educational undertaking requires them to familiarize certain technical features. Basically, these features include a refrain, narrators and characters, setting, diction, imagery, figurative language, voice and tone, storyline, rhyme scheme, and structure. In this case, a particular extent to which a student examines these writing elements in poetry determines whether their analysis is shallow or deep. Hence, an in-depth poetic analysis essay goes beyond reviewing prominent features in an observed piece, and it interrogates other “behind the scenes” aspects of writing.

General Aspects

Poems are literary works that help to shed light on particular historical or present social issues. As such, students must critically analyze poetry pieces if they wish to understand key issues that people espouse and what given literature works inform them. Unlike other academic texts, such as essays and reports, poetry does not follow a standard introduction-body-conclusion outline. Instead, such a composition uses stanzas (same as paragraphs in other literary texts), where each espouses specific issues relevant to a poet’s primary mission. Therefore, a poem analysis essay requires an appraisal of different technical features that authors use in their writings.

What Is a Poem Analysis Essay and Its Purpose

According to its definition, a poem analysis essay is a detailed examination of poetry that interprets its unique content, structure, and meaning. The main purpose of writing a poem analysis essay is to analyze various elements that make up a literature piece, including its themes, structure, literary devices, language, and tone (Jackson, 2021). Through this analysis, a person can explore how these elements work together to convey a poet’s message and evoke emotions in a reader. In essay writing, such a composition not only helps readers to appreciate complex layers of a specific poetic work but also hones people’s analytical and interpretative skills. Moreover, by examining various aspects, such as symbolism, imagery, meter, rhyme scheme, and tone, a person can articulate how these components contribute to an overall message and emotional impact of a chosen poetic text (Vendler, 2017). In terms of pages and words, the length of a poem analysis essay depends on academic levels and specific assignment requirements, while general writing guidelines are:

High School

• Length: 1-2 pages
• Word Count: 250-500 words

College (Undergraduate)

• Length: 2-4 pages
• Word Count: 500-1,000 words

University (Bachelor’s Degree)

• Length: 3-6 pages
• Word Count: 750-1,500 words

Master’s Degree

• Length: 5-10 pages
• Word Count: 1,250-2,500 words

Ph.D. Level

• Length: 10-20+ pages
• Word Count: 2,500-5,000+ words

Note: Some sections of a poem analysis essay can be added, deleted, or combined with each other, and it depends on a particular scope of examination and course instructions. For example, the three main components of a poetic analysis essay are an introduction with a well-formulated thesis statement, a body with detailed analysis and evidence, and a conclusion that summarizes critical insights and restates a central claim (Jackson, 2021). Moreover, a good hook of a poem analysis essay is an engaging opening statement or question that captures a reader’s interest and introduces a poetry’s central theme or a compelling aspect of its evaluation. In writing, to start a poem analysis essay, people begin by introducing a specific poetic piece and its author, providing some background context, and presenting a clear thesis statement that outlines their main points of evaluation.

Steps on How to Write a Poem Analysis Essay

To write a poem analysis essay, people thoroughly examine a poetry’s main theme, structure, literary devices, and language, support their evaluations with specific examples and quotes, and present a clear thesis that ties their insights together.

• Read a Poem Multiple Times: Ensure thorough understanding by reading a chosen poetic piece several times to grasp its nuances and meanings.
• Annotate a Chosen Poetry: Make notes on key elements, such as themes, literary devices, and any striking features, for essay writing.
• Research an Author and Context: Investigate a poet’s background and his or her historical, cultural, or personal context in which an assigned poetic work was created.
• Develop a Thesis Statement: Formulate a clear thesis that presents a main argument or interpretation of a given text.
• Outline an Essay: Create a basic outline to organize your thoughts and structure an entire analysis logically.
• Write an Introduction: Introduce a literature piece and author, provide some background, and state a central thesis.
• Analyze Poetic Themes: Examine central themes and discuss how they are conveyed throughout a literary text and its writing.
• Examine Literary Devices: Identify and analyze a particular use of literary devices, like metaphors, similes, imagery, and symbolism.
• Discuss a Poem’s Structure and Form: Analyze a poetic piece’s form, stanza structure, rhyme scheme, and meter to understand its impact.
• Conclude With Personal Reflection: Summarize a provided analysis of essay writing, restate a main thesis, and reflect on a literary piece’s overall significance or impact.

Poetic Examples

A practical poetry analysis essay requires one to break down a whole text into essential elements. Then, students must explain how these technical features work together to reinforce a poem’s real meaning. Basically, the primary purpose of these features is to create an effect on the readers’ minds about a specific topic or a poetry’s meaning (Simecek & Rumbold, 2016). In writing, the most effective approach in a poetry analysis is to have a solid understanding of poetic pieces they intend to analyze. Ultimately, a poetry analysis essay must examine ten technical features: refrain, narrators and characters, setting, diction, imagery, figurative language, voice and tone, storyline, rhyme scheme, and structure. In turn, some examples of sentence starters for beginning a poem analysis essay are:

• In [Poem Title], [Author] explores a unique theme of [Theme] through vivid imagery and intricate language.
• A particular poetic piece [Poetry Title] by [Author] includes various complexities of [Subject], using [Literary Device] to convey its message.
• Introduced in [Year], [Poem Title] reflects [Historical/Cultural Context], highlighting [Specific Aspect] through its [Form/Structure].
• [Author]’s [Poetic Piece Title] is a vivid exploration of [Theme], skillfully crafted with [Literary Device] and [Tone].
• A central theme of [Poetry Title] by [Author] is [Theme], which is effectively portrayed through [Imagery/Metaphor/Symbolism].
• In a well-known poetry [Poem Title], [Author] employs [Rhyme Scheme/Meter/Form] to enhance a reader’s understanding of [Theme/Emotion].
• [Poetic Piece Title] presents a powerful depiction of [Subject], with [Author]’s use of [Literary Device] adding depth to a literature piece’s meaning.
• Through [Poem Title], [Author] addresses a specific issue of [Subject], utilizing [Specific Element] to evoke [Emotion/Response] from readers.
• [Author]’s masterful use of [Literary Device] in [Poetry Title] brings to life a poem’s exploration of [Theme].
• A famous poem [Poetic Piece Title] by [Author] covers a theme of [Theme] with [Imagery/Literary Device], creating a profound impact on its audience.

Every poetic piece has a central message that gives its meaning. Therefore, any poem analysis essay must identify this meaning by interrogating what happens in a literature piece, what authors are trying to communicate, and how powerfully they try to pass along their messages (Parsons & Pinkerton, 2022). In this case, a particular answer to these questions is a refrain – a line or group of lines that people repeat in every stanza. In essay writing, the primary function of a refrain is to emphasize an author’s central message and give poetry meaning.

Narrators and Characters

When analyzing a poem, one must identify a specific narrator – a person voicing the words. In many instances, a particular narrator is different from an author, who is an author of a poetic piece. Then, another factor that one must consider when analyzing poetry for essay writing is a target audience – people to whom a narrator or a poet addresses (Vendler, 2017). In this case, both narrators and authors act as speakers in poetry. Besides, their role is to pass along a central message. Therefore, anyone analyzing a poetic text must determine how these speakers affect a poetry’s main message and why an author chose them as conveyors of a central idea.

To understand how to write a good poem analysis essay, an individual must consider its context from a poet’s perspective. In particular, a setting is a technical feature that gives poetry its boundaries and captures various issues, including an author’s personal history (Vendler, 2017). Then, other elements that define a poetic piece’s context are political, social, cultural, and environmental aspects that prevail during an entire writing of poetry. As such, time is a critical aspect for one to consider when analyzing a literary work for essay writing.

A poem is a short text, meaning every word is significant to a poet’s mission. Therefore, a compelling analysis essay of a poem must consider diction (choice of words) and how an author uses it to create an impression. Here, one must determine why an author uses particular words and whether these words carry any significant meaning (Holbrook, 2021). In writing, essential concepts, such as a line or lines that a particular poet repeats in every stanza, tend to stand out. Thus, a compelling poetic analysis essay should examine whether these important words emphasize or reduce an actual meaning of poetry.

One of the goals of poets is to impress their audiences, and imagery helps a great deal. Basically, imagery is what an author uses to evoke some senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, or sound in a target audience (Vendler, 2017). Imagery, also termed as symbolism, represents a specific object, action, and idea that authors espouse, and it allows them to appeal to deeper senses. In this case, an actual importance of imagery is that it enables readers to empathize with speakers (narrators and characters) by imagining a similar sensory experience.

Figurative Language (Metaphor, Simile, Irony, and Personification)

Another feature that a poem analysis essay must include is how an author utilizes figures of speech, including metaphor, simile, irony, and personification, to create an impression or convey an idea. Ideally, what drives an author to use this language is a particular need to create a powerful emotional and intellectual impact (Jackson, 2021). In turn, this outcome comes by ensuring figures of speech that a poet uses help to enrich poetry to an extent it becomes more memorable to a target audience.

Voice and Tone

Just like any literary text, a poem has a voice and a tone. In this case, a crucial factor determining these two features is a persona that a poet adopts, whether they are only a writer or they are both a writer and a narrator (Vendler, 2017). One of the elements that reflect a particular voice and tone of a poetic text is a poet’s mood. In analyzing a poetic piece for essay writing, one must identify a specific tone that an author uses by determining whether they (poets) are angry, ardent, regretful, or suicidal.

One of the features of a literary text that makes readers interested from a first paragraph to a last one is a storyline, also known as a plot. In this case, there are many issues that a person analyzing a poem should consider to determine a poet’s storyline. For example, these issues include conflicts, tragedies, disappointments, or events (Simecek & Rumbold, 2016). By examining these issues and how an author deals with them for essay writing, a person can understand what direction poetry takes. In essence, a storyline reflects characters that a poet uses and their roles. Besides, suspense is a powerful tool that helps an author to develop a storyline.

Rhyme Scheme

Unlike essays and novels, a poem has a rhyme scheme, which helps to create a rhyme pattern. For example, one of the most notable features that help to create a rhyme in poetry is a refrain, a line or group of lines that come at the end of every stanza (Vendler, 2017). Therefore, examining whether a poetic text has wordings that create a rhyme is crucial in determining a poet’s approach to writing an entire text. Then, poetry pieces that follow a free verse style do not incorporate a rhyme scheme feature. In turn, there are many types of rhymes that authors can use in their works, including internal, slant, and identical rhymes. Finally, the most common strategy that a poet uses in creating a rhyme is to utilize a rhyme scheme composed of shared vowel sounds or consonants.

In many literary works, the most common structure is an introduction-body-conclusion outline. However, this outline cannot be applied to poetry. When analyzing a poetic text, one determines a unique structure that a poet has used by examining how they have written different stanzas (Parsons & Pinkerton, 2022). In this case, an author can either use a regular stanzaic form, which involves the use of two or the same clusters of lines, or an irregular form. Whichever structure poets have used, one must determine why they used them to understand a literary piece’s meaning. In essay writing, an author relates a poem’s structure to a central message or a particular purpose of poetry.

There are different forms of poetry that an author can choose when writing a poetic analysis essay. Two popular examples of poetry are haiku and epic poems. As such, when analyzing poetry, a specific form that an author adopts plays a significant role in determining a particular approach to an entire analysis (Kangasharju et al., 2024). In analyzing a haiku, one must consider its 5-7-5 structure. Basically, this structure means that, in every stanza, a first line has five syllables, a second line – seven syllables, and a third line – five syllables. As such, haiku poetry has three lines and 17 syllables. In analyzing an epic, one must consider its lengthy, narrative structure, where a poet details remarkable feats and adventures of historical characters. In turn, common types of poems include:

Citing Poetry and Using Quotes

As a literary text, a poem can serve as a reference point in an academic paper. In the case of an educational poem analysis essay, a student can identify different elements of poetry to make a point for writing. Basically, these elements include technical features named above. As such, students must cite any poem and a specific place within a poetic piece’s structure to locate an item they are citing (Jackson, 2021). When citing a poetic piece in an MLA format, one must list a last name of a poet followed by a line or lines in a poetic text where the information cited originates. In turn, direct information that a student cites when analyzing a literary text for essay writing must be in quotation marks.

There are many approaches that one can use to analyze a literary text, including a poem. Basically, the five main ways to analyze any poetic piece are to examine its themes, analyze a particular use of literary devices, explore its form and structure, interpret its tone and mood, and consider its historical and cultural context. In essay writing, a shallow analysis is where a person takes the most prominent details of a text and expounds on it (Holbrook, 2021). However, this type of analysis reflects a lack of an in-depth understanding of a text. In a deep analysis, one goes beyond the details that are obvious to consider other factors that might be irrelevant to a shallow analysis. Besides, these factors include an author’s background, a specific time when a poetic piece was written, imagery, and other technical features (Jackson, 2021). When analyzing a literary work, these factors influence not only an actual meaning of poetry but also how someone understands it. Therefore, a casual reader, who ignores these elements, cannot have a full grasp of an author’s meaning when analyzing a literary text.

As indicated, a poem’s outline is different from an introduction-body-conclusion structure of a typical essay. However, when writing a poetic analysis essay, one can choose this outline. In an introduction paragraph, one would mention a poetry title and highlight critical information, such as an author’s background and a specific context within which this poet wrote his or her poetry piece. Basically, this part must be concluded with a thesis statement. In an essay’s body, the goal is to explore an actual meaning of poetry, which must link with a central thesis sentence. Besides, the most critical information in this part should focus on analyzing poetic technical features, wich include imagery, symbolism, figurative language, diction, and others. In turn, a conclusion paragraph should restate a thesis claim and conclude an essay with a thought-provoking remark.

Even though poetry is not a typical literary text, one must approach it as academic essay writing. For example, to do an analysis of a poem, people closely read an assigned text, identify and interpret its themes, literary devices, structure, and language, and explain how these elements contribute to a poetic piece’s meaning and emotional effect (Jackson, 2021). Hence, some of the tips worth noting in an essay on a poetry analysis include:

• Read poetry pieces carefully at least twice.
• Learn about a poem’s context, including an author’s background and a specific time when a person wrote it.
• Identify key statements – those that a poet repeats in every stanza.
• Define a particular subject matter for essay writing by paying attention to a specific theme, tone, mood, and meaning of a poetic text.
• Develop different ideas about what a poet is trying to communicate and pick one.
• Avoid opinions and conjectures by focusing on provable facts.

What to Include

Common Mistakes

• Overlooking a Poem’s Context: Failing to consider a historical, cultural, or personal background of a chosen poetic piece can lead to a vague analysis.
• Ignoring a Thesis Statement: A weak or missing thesis statement can result in writing an unfocused and disorganized essay.
• Paraphrasing a Poetry Instead of Analyzing: Simply restating a poem’s content without interpretation misses an actual essence of analysis.
• Neglecting Literary Devices: Overlooking a particular use of literary devices, such as metaphors, imagery, similes, and others, in essay writing can lead to an incomplete analysis.
• Misinterpreting a Poetic Theme: Misunderstanding a main theme can skew an entire analysis and misrepresent a poet’s intent.
• Forgetting to Support Claims With Evidence: Making assertions without backing them up with quotes or specific examples from an assigned literary work weakens a central argument.
• Ignoring a Poetry’s Structure and Form: Not addressing how a particular poetic piece’s form, rhyme scheme, and meter contribute to its meaning is a common problem in essay writing.
• Failing to Analyze a Tone and Mood: Not discussing how a poet’s tone and a literary text’s mood impact a reader’s perception can result in a biased analysis.
• Overusing Jargon or Complex Language: Excessive use of literary jargon or overly complex language can confuse readers and obscure an entire analysis.
• Lacking a Clear Conclusion: Writing a weak conclusion can make a poetic essay unfinished and fail to reinforce main points of a whole analysis.

Writing a poem analysis essay involves a thorough examination of a poetry’s themes, structure, and literary devices to uncover deeper meanings and insights. A particular writing process begins with a careful reading and annotation, followed by research into a poet’s background and a poetic piece’s context. In essay writing, rafting a clear thesis statement guides an entire analysis, which should explore literature themes, use of literary devices, form, and language. By supporting arguments with specific examples and quotes, a complete essay provides a detailed interpretation, ultimately enhancing a reader’s understanding, knowledge, and appreciation of a literature piece.

Holbrook, S. (2021). How to read (and write about) poetry . Broadview Press.

Jackson, S. (2021). Write about poetry: Getting to the heart of a poem . Routledge.

Kangasharju, Arja. I., Ilomäki, L., & Toom, A. (2024). Online poetry writing at school – Comparing lower secondary students’ experiences between individual and collaborative poetry writing. Frontiers in Education , 9 , 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1380790

Parsons, L. T., & Pinkerton, L. (2022). Poetry and prose as methodology: A synergy of knowing. Methodological Innovations , 15 (2), 118–126. https://doi.org/10.1177/20597991221087150

Simecek, K., & Rumbold, K. (2016). The uses of poetry. Changing English , 23 (4), 309–313. https://doi.org/10.1080/1358684x.2016.1230300

Vendler, H. (2017). Poems, poets, poetry: An introduction and anthology . Macmillan Learning.

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Still I Rise

By Maya Angelou

‘Still I Rise’ is an inspiring and emotional poem that’s based around Maya Angelou’s experiences as a Black woman in America. It encourages readers to love themselves fully and persevere in the face of every hardship.

Maya Angelou

Nationality: American

She's also known for her autobiographical works.

Key Poem Information

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Central Message: You should never give up no matter the challenges

Themes: Beauty , Celebration , Dreams , Identity , Journey , Love , Wellness

Speaker: A black woman

Emotions Evoked: Confidence , Courage , Excitement , Happiness , Honor , Hope , Joyfulness , Optimism

Poetic Form: Free Verse

Time Period: 20th Century

'Still I Rise' is a powerful and inspiring poem that celebrates the strength, resilience, and courage of Black women, and encourages them to stand up and rise above the oppression and discrimination.

Poem Analyzed by Allisa Corfman

Degree in Secondary Education/English and Teacher of World Literature and Composition

Maya Angelou ( Bio | Poems ) , born in 1928, lived through some of the worst oppression and inequality for African American people. Although slavery had been long abolished, Angelou saw its effects on society and the African-American people. ‘Still I Rise’  is her declaration that she, for one, would not allow the hatefulness of society to determine her own success.

The poem, ‘Still I Rise ,’ is not only a proclamation of her own determination to rise above society but was also a call to others to live above the society in which they were brought up. 

Explore Still I Rise

• 3 Structure and Form
• 4 Tone and Mood
• 5 Poetic Techniques and Figurative Language
• 8 Symbolism
• 9 Analysis, Stanza by Stanza
• 10 Historical Context
• 12 Similar Poetry

‘ Still I Rise ‘ by Maya Angelou ( Bio | Poems ) is an inspiring and moving poem that celebrates self-love and self-acceptance.

The poem takes the reader through a series of statements the speaker makes about herself. She praises her strength, her body, and her ability to rise up and away from her personal and historical past. There is nothing, the speaker declares, that can hold her back. She is going to “rise” above and beyond anything that seeks to control her.

You can watch Maya Angelou ( Bio | Poems ) recite the poem below.

The title of the poem, ‘Still I Rise’ is a proclamation against the society that tries to dominate the speaker’s voice . The speaker or the poetic persona represents the poet’s voice. She represents the black community as a whole.

Through this poem, she tries to break through the shackles of domination and raises her voice to say that she and her people are no longer mute. They have got the voice to proclaim their rights. No matter how hard they try, she will prove to them the abilities of black people.

The phrase, “I rise” is not about a singular uprising. It’s a collective revolutionary voice that consists of the raging uproar of a class, oppressed and betrayed for a long time.

Structure and Form

‘Still I Rise’  is a nine-stanza poem that’s separated into uneven sets of lines. The first seven stanzas contain four lines, known as quatrains , stanza eight has six lines and the ninth has nine. The first seven stanzas follow a rhyme scheme of ABCB , the eighth: ABABCC, and the ninth: ABABCCBBB.

Tone and Mood

Within  ‘Still I Rise’ Angelou takes a strong and determined tone throughout her writing. By addressing her’s, and all marginalized communities’ strengths, pasts, and futures head-on, she’s able to create a very similar mood . A reader should walk away from  ‘Still Rise’  feeling inspired, joyful, and reinvigorated with courage and strength.

Poetic Techniques and Figurative Language

Angelou makes use of several poetic techniques and different kinds of figurative language in  ‘Still I Rise’.  These include anaphora , alliteration , enjambment , and similes . The first, anaphora, is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of multiple lines, usually in succession. In this piece, a reader should look to stanza six for an example. Here, Angelou uses the phrase “You may” at the start of lines one through three.

Alliteration occurs when words are used in succession, or at least appear close together, and begin with the same letter.  For example, ” huts of history” in line one of the eighth stanza and “gifts” and “gave” in stanza nine.

Another important technique commonly used in poetry is enjambment. It occurs when a line is cut off before its natural stopping point. Enjambment forces a reader down to the next line, and the next, quickly. One has to move forward to comfortably resolve a phrase or sentence. For example, the transition between lines two and three of the first stanza and two and three of the second stanza. 

A simile is a comparison between two unlike things that uses the words “like” or “as”. A poet uses this kind of figurative language to say that one thing is similar to another, not like metaphor , that it “is” another. In the third stanza of  ‘Still I Rise’  with the line “Just like hopes springing high” or in lines three and four of the fifth stanza: “’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines / Diggin’ in my own backyard”.

The major poetic themes of this work are self-empowerment, perseverance, and injustice.  Throughout the text, the speaker, who is commonly considered to be Angelou herself, addresses her own oppressor. The “you” she refers to represents the varieties of injustices that people of color, women, and all marginalized communities have dealt with as long as history has been recorded.

She throws a prior self-derogatory way of thinking to the side and addresses herself lovingly and proudly. The poet seeks to empower herself, as well as all those who have doubted their abilities, strength, beauty, intelligence, or worth. This is seen through lines like “You may trod me in the very dirt / But still, like dust, I’ll rise”.

This poem is filled with vivid imagery . To begin with, there is visual imagery in the very beginning. Through this line, “But still, like dust, I’ll rise.” So, here the image of “dust” helps the speaker to make her point. According to her, none can control the dust when the revolutionary wind arrives. Likewise, she will rise like dust particles and blind those who trod her before.

The following stanzas contain some more images. For example, readers can find the image of oil wells pumping oil. The third stanza has images of the moon, sun, and tides. In this stanza, she depicts the tides that are springing high. It is compared to “hope”.

There is an image of a black individual who is in extreme distress. This image represents how they were tortured and made silent by the unlawful fist. Angelou uses the images of “gold mines” and “diamonds” to heighten the irony of this piece. Lastly, the “black ocean” unfolds how powerful the speaker and her people are. Their greatness is like that of the immensity of the ocean.

Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise’ is a symbolic poem. It contains several symbols that refer to different ideas. For example, in the first stanza, the poet uses “dirt” as a symbol . It represents how the black community was treated in history.

In the following stanzas, there are several symbolic references. These are “oil wells”, “gold mines” and “diamonds”. They collectively refer to the resourcefulness of the speaker. Those symbols do not deal with anything materialistic, rather they hint at her intellectual wealth.

In the fourth stanza, the moon and sun represent the speaker herself. While the upward movement of tides symbolizes how hope springs in her heart concerning the future. Besides, some phrases deal with the concept of slavery in this line, “Bowed head and lowered eyes.”

There is an important symbol of the “black ocean” in the eighth stanza. This ocean represents black people. The speaker says, “I’m a black ocean”. Here, it acts as a symbol of energy and immensity. The last stanza contains another symbol in the usage of the word “night”. It is a symbol of fear, oppression, and pessimism.

Analysis, Stanza by Stanza

You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

In this stanza, Maya Angelou ( Bio | Poems ) gives her heart and soul to declare that nothing and no one could oppress her or keep her down. She doesn’t care what the history books saw, for she knows they are full of “twisted lies.” She will not let it bother her that others “trod” her “in the very dirt.” She proclaims that if she is trodden in the dirt, she will rise like dust.

Does my sassiness upset you? (…) Pumping in my living room.

In the second stanza, she asks a question. This is an interesting question, as she refers to her own tone as “sassiness” and asks the hearer if her sassy tone is upsetting. The poet notices that the people around her in her society are “beset with gloom” when she succeeds. She questions this. She knows that she is succeeded in life, in her writing, and as a woman. The “oil wells pumping in [her] living room” symbolize her success.

Stanza Three

Just like moons and like suns, (…) Still I’ll rise.

In this stanza, she compares herself to the moon and the sun as they are affected by the tides. This gives the reader the understanding that the speaker has no other choice but to rise out of her affliction. Try as a society might keep her oppressed, it is in her nature to rise and stand against oppression just as it is the nature of the tides to respond to the moon.

Stanza Four

Did you want to see me broken? (…) Weakened by my soulful cries.

The speaker’s questions in this stanza are direct, pertinent, and appropriately accusing. She knows that her own success is received with bitterness by the racist people in her society. So she directs these questions at a society that has long tried to keep her oppressed. She asks them if they want to see her broken, oppressed, depressed, and bitter.

She asks these questions know that this indeed is what many in society wanted. They did not want to see a black woman rise out of the oppression of her society and succeed. The speaker knows this and she draws attention to it with these revealing, yet cutting questions. 

Stanza Five

Does my haughtiness offend you? (…) Diggin’ in my own back yard.

She continues with the questions directed at a racist society when she asks whether her “haughtiness” is offensive. She knows that society resents seeing a black woman full of pride. This question has an air of sarcasm which serves to point out the hypocrisy of society as it is embittered by the success of one that it has tried to oppress. The speaker continues in a sarcastic tone as she pretends to comfort the hearer.

The poet says, “don’t you take it awful hard.” This is her sarcastic way of pretending to care for those who resent her success. She continues, however, to in a sense “flaunt” her success before the society that has always oppressed her. She claims that she has “gold mines” and that she laughs at the success she has found.

You may shoot me with your words, (…) But still, like air, I’ll rise.

In this stanza, she lets society know that no matter what it does to oppress her, it will not succeed. The poet lets society know that it cannot prevail against her with words or looks. She proclaims that society cannot prevail against her even if it managed to have her killed because of its hatefulness. She claims that she will still “like air” rise.

Stanza Seven

Does my sexiness upset you? (…) At the meeting of my thighs?

The speaker continues her questioning of society. By this time in the poem, it becomes apparent that the speaker has placed society on trial and is now in the process of cross-examination. She knows the answers to these questions, but to ask them is to incriminate the offender. While she asks incriminating questions, she simultaneously reveals incredible self-confidence despite the oppression of society.

Stanza Eight

Out of the huts of history’s shame I rise (…) I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

In this stanza, the speaker finally refers to the past- the reason that she is oppressed and resented to this day. She calls slavery “history’s shame” and she proclaims that she will not be held down by the past, even if it is “rooted in pain.”

Stanza Nine

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise.

In the final stanza, the speaker reveals that she intends to leave behind all the effects of slavery and the history of oppression with the intent to rise above it. She claims that she will leave behind the “terror and fear” and that she will rise above the pain and the oppression “Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear.”

The speaker does not intend to allow the hatefulness of society or the pain of the past to stop her from becoming all that she ever dreamed of being. For this reason, she repeats three times, “I rise.”

Historical Context

The poem, ‘Still I Rise’ was published in Maya Angelou’s poetry collection, “And Still I Rise” in 1978. It is the collection’s title poem. This poem appears in the third part of the book. Angelou wrote a play in 1976 by the same title and the work also touches on similar themes such as courage, injustice, and spirit of the Black people. This poem appeared in an advertising campaign for the 50th anniversary of the United Negro College Fund in 1994.

In an interview in 1997, Angelou stated that she used the poem to sustain herself in hard times. According to her, not only the black but also the white used it similarly. This inspirational poem has some references that make readers look back at history. It reminds how black people were treated in the past. The speaker is one of them. She firmly speaks against the injustices against them and says no matter how much society tries to throttle her voice, she will rise like the phoenix.

Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise’ is told from the perspective of a first-person speaker . So, it’s a lyric poem .

Maya Angelou wrote this poem inspired by the struggle of black people. Her speaker represents the community and expresses their courage to fight back against the odds of time as well as society.

In this poem, Angelou’s speaker talks with the racist people. She refers to them as “you” and straightforwardly begins this poem. This “you” can also be a reference to those who try to subjugate others for their benefit.

The speaker of this piece represents the African American spirit. In this poem, Angelou makes it clear it does not matter how hard the discriminating minds try, the voice of her community can never be muted.

This poem communicates an important message to readers. It tells readers that remaining hopeful about one’s abilities and trusting in the inherent qualities are the best weapons to fight against racial discrimination, inequality, and injustice.

The phrase, “history’s shame” is a metaphor for slavery and racial discrimination.

Angelou’s poem presents a speaker who takes pride in her identity. She is courageous enough to talk about her body and her inherent qualities. Besides, she is an embodiment of the indomitable courage of black people.

Similar Poetry

Maya Angelou ( Bio | Poems ) is best known for her empowering poems that seek to celebrate the female body and mind, specifically dedicated to Black women . The following poems are similar to Maya Angelou’s poem, ‘Still I Rise’ .

• ‘ Phenomenal Woman ‘ by Maya Angelou ( Bio | Poems ) – This poem defies the stereotypes that women often face in today’s world. It is filled with strength and determination.
• ‘ Woman Work ‘ by Maya Angelou ( Bio | Poems ) – This poem celebrates the strength of women. It uses natural imagery to speak on this theme and various others.
• ‘ Power ‘ by Audre Lorde – Audre Lorde ( Bio | Poems ) , one of the best-known 20th-century American poets, describes the real-life murder of a ten-year-old black boy and the court case concerning the killing in this poem.
• ‘ Primer for Blacks ‘ by Gwendolyn Brooks ( Bio | Poems ) – This piece by Brooks, one of the well-known African-American poets , speaks on the necessity of accepting one’s black identity and the future that will result from that acceptance.

You can also read about the best poetry of African-American poets and these inspirational poems about hope .

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About Allisa Corfman

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do you know is this analysis is peer reviewed.

this has been so helpful, thank you so much

No problem. I’m glad you’ve found it useful.

I really really like the information, It’s so complete, and all the contents are meaningful. If I’ll give rate on this, 100/10. It’s so perfect ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐..

Thank you – that’s really lovely feedback.

I don’t like this kind of poetry, it is about self interest only ! Poetry is a fresh morning spider web telling a story of moonlit hours of weaving and waiting during the night !

I disagree – poetry is whatever the reader brings to the poem! I think this is a wonderful poem.

this is the most boring stuff ever y do teachers make us do stuff like this

From a teacher: Because communication is at the heart of everything we do. This conversation, you applying for a job, all these things require you to communicate and poetry is arguably the most beautiful form of communication. Why not study something so beautiful? I’d suggest if you hate poetry that maybe diversify a little, some of the canonical poems found in schools can appear a bit stuff. Maybe try out someone like Mark Grist who is a bit cooler and more relatable.

ur awesome!!!!, patte smart malli

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Corfman, Allisa. "Still I Rise by Maya Angelou". Poem Analysis , https://poemanalysis.com/maya-angelou/still-i-rise/ . Accessed 9 August 2024.

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UnitedHealth Group: The 2025 Investment Thesis

• UnitedHealth Group is positioned as a leader in the health services industry despite setbacks from a cyberattack and industry headwinds in 2024.
• The company's 2025 investment thesis is optimistic, with expectations of market share gains, margin improvements, and recovery for Optum Insight.
• UNH is expected to outperform in 2025, with the potential for revenue growth above estimates, leading to a price target of $640 per share.

JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

In a year defined by headwinds for the health services industry and significant setbacks caused by a cyberattack, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated ( NYSE: UNH ) is showing why it's the one and true leader in the space.

As we're getting closer to 2025, I think the setup for UNH is becoming increasingly attractive.

Following the recent upswing, it's time to look ahead and discuss our 2025 investment thesis.

Nothing Easy In 2024

I think it's safe to say that 2024 has been (and still is) as far from smooth sailing as it can be.

As we've discussed extensively in my previous articles , five key forces are pressuring the industry: (1) Increasing utilization trends, helped by pent-up demand from COVID-19; (2) Misalignment between CMS rates and said utilization trend, pressuring medical care ratios, primarily in Medicare and Medicaid; (3) Medicaid redeterminations, as members joined under the looser COVID-19 criteria are losing eligibility; (4) Rising competitive pressure, as aggressive pricing and benefits from companies like CVS Health Corporation ( CVS ) and Humana Inc. ( HUM ) results in either membership losses or lower margins; (5) Regulatory scrutiny, specifically on PBMs.

On top of that, Optum's Change unit suffered from a major cyberattack, which is garnering management's focus, costing a lot of resources, and putting a halt to several of the company's plans. In addition, UNH is going through the divestiture of its international businesses.

Despite all of the above, UNH is second only to The Cigna Group ( CI ) on the yearly chart, with the latter benefitting from lower exposure to Medicare and Medicaid, which are the key headwind segments for the industry.

I think it's safe to say, it can only get better from here, right? So let's dive into our 2025 investment thesis.

UnitedHealth Group 2025 Investment Thesis

UnitedHealth Group has been a market-beating investment for the past decade, driven by consistent double-digit growth and market share gains.

The underlying driver is the secular growth in U.S. health expenditures. UnitedHealth, with its diversified divisions across key healthcare services segments, is capturing a meaningful portion of that growth trend and shall continue to do so.

While that is the basis of my long-term investment thesis in UNH, I believe that 2025 is shaping up to be particularly positive for UNH due to lower competitive pressures, expected recovery in Optum Insight, and easing industry headwinds.

Easing Competitive Pressures Should Result In Market Share Gains & Margin Improvements

In the past couple of years, we've seen competitors like CVS trying to replicate UnitedHealth's formula by acquiring care providers and care enablers, as well as trying to accelerate growth in insurance members through aggressive pricing and benefits.

On paper, this seemed like a great plan, and I too thought this would work. As it turns out, however, operating a powerhouse like UNH is extremely, extremely difficult. It requires best-in-class proficiency across every pillar of the healthcare chain, as well as decades of learning and data.

Perhaps the clearest demonstration of the difference in management expertise is that UNH maintained its initial guidance for the year (and effectively raised it). Meanwhile, many of its peers had to decrease their guidance multiple times as they continued to encounter "unexpected" pressures from utilization and rates. That is, despite all the company-specific problems, which primarily include the cyberattack.

As a result of their struggles, competitors are forced to change their strategy. Here are a few quotes from recent conferences:

Karen Lynch, CVS President and CEO, at Bernstein's recent conference:

Our sole goal is margin recovery. So one of a couple of things that we've done is we have reduced benefits. We said we were going to exit counties. We are going to, in some counties, pull products and refile. And then, we took a view that the elevated trends will continue in 2025. So we've taken the entire kind of organization to look around the operations, and then we took an intense review of our pricing.

James Rechtin, Humana President and CEO, Q2 Earnings Call:

If there's a place that we're going to have to be more disciplined over the coming years, it's really in how we're measuring and evaluating the return on the expenses, whether it's capital or whether it's operating expense that we have in any given year. So that we're optimizing those decisions and then making sure that we've got the processes, that we're not just operating with discipline in one year period of time, but we're driving the accountability over years two, three, four and five that go back to that investment you made in year one.

I think this paints a clear picture. Both companies were too aggressive in their assumptions, either when assuming utilization trends, care costs, or CMS rate increases, and that might have resulted in membership gains, but those are unprofitable membership gains.

Created by the author using data from UnitedHealth Group financial reports.

The crucial thing to understand here is that UNH continued to gain members while protecting margins, and in 2025, while its peers are going to have to cut benefits and raise prices, UNH will be able to gain even more market share.

In the words of John Rex, UNH's CFO:

You can expect us to continue to prioritize balanced and durable performance over transitory market share gains.

Recovery Year For Optum Insight

Optum Insight is the group's enablement arm. It has a diversified portfolio of businesses in payments, analytics, and other IT services to healthcare institutions and professionals. One of those businesses is Change, which suffered from the cyberattack.

UNH has a payer-agnostic strategy, meaning each of its divisions and their separate subdivisions are operating independently with no preference for each other. Still, there's significant integration and synergies between them, and when a big part of the system, in Change, suffers, they all do.

Accordingly, 2024 is shaping up to be a low point for Optum in terms of revenue growth, margins, and backlog buildup. In the funny game of comps, one bad year is the next year's tailwind.

More fundamentally, I expect that the new and improved Optum, following the attack, will have a meaningful runway for growth, especially in 2025, with the industry becoming increasingly digital and UNH's top leadership giving a lot of their focus to the division.

Normalized Utilization Rates & Improved Medical Care Ratios

Fingers crossed, but it seems like 2025 is set to be the first truly normal year for the industry since 2019. In 2020-2022, we had Covid. Then, in 2023-2024, the industry is dealing with post-Covid repercussions, which we've talked about extensively already.

With competitive pressures easing and pent-up utilization from Covid finally normalizing, I expect a much more normalized year in terms of MCRs.

I'm not expecting MCR to drop back to 2019 levels so quickly, but I think a gradual improvement from recent highs is a reasonable outlook. For context, a 1% improvement equals over $3 billion in gross profit.

UnitedHealth has a very steady and predictable trading range. When things are bad, it can get to as low as 16-18 times forward earnings. When things are good, it can get to as high as 22. So, a fair multiple, in my view, is 20x.

Currently, UNH is trading at 20.4 times forward earnings and 18.2 times 2025 earnings. Applying a fair multiple on 2025 estimates already gets us to nearly 10% upside by early 2025.

On top of that, I see significant room to beat 2025 estimates. Based on what we discussed, I expect UNH to achieve revenue growth above the current 7.5% estimate, as well as drive margin expansion. The last time UNH didn't beat estimates was in 2008, and I don't see that record stopping next year.

I see them earning $32.00 per share, which brings me to a price target of $640 by early 2025. I also think that the multiple could go even higher, considering the favorable outlook in the near-to-mid-term.

When the industry is good, everybody can win. When things get tougher, that's when top-quality companies like UnitedHealth Group come to shine.

As we're getting closer to wrapping up 2024, a year full of headwinds, I encourage investors to start looking ahead.

I expect 2025 to be an extraordinary year for UNH, with market share gains, growth acceleration, and margin expansion.

Therefore, I reiterate a 'Buy' rating, with a price target of $640 a share.

This article was written by

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of UNH either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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