LibGuides: Language and Literature: Researching Poems: Home

Page Overview

This page provides background/overview information on poetry and the elements of poetry, as well as tips on reading and writing about poetry.

Special thanks to Houston Cole Library intern Alanna R. Cole for assistance in the preparation of this LibGuide.

Contact:

7th Floor
Houston Cole Library
Jacksonville State University
700 Pelham Rd N
Jacksonville, AL 36265
256-782-5247
256-782-5872
hnuttall@jsu.edu

American Poetry: An Overview
From ResearchGate: a comprehensive chronological discussion of American poetry.
What is Poetry?
From Wikipedia via Poetry.org: a brief essay on poetry that covers most of the essentials, such as the history of poetry, poetry and sound, poetry and form.

Analyzing Poetry
From Texas A&M University's Writing Center: a summary of how to analyze poetry and its elements.
Elements of Poetry
From Lexiconic.net: an in-depth discussion of poetic elements, such as structure, sound, and meaning.
Poetry: Close Reading
From the OWL Purdue Writing Lab: an example of how to perform a close reading on a poem.
Writing About Poetry
From the OWL Purdue Writing Lab: a thorough explanation of why, how, and what to write about poetry.