How to Read Poetry Aloud

So you want to learn how to read poetry aloud?
It's likely then you're preparing for a special occasion, a wedding, birthday or perhaps a funeral, where you are going to stand in front of others to deliver your chosen verse.

For many people this is terrifying. They're scared they'll misinterpret the lines, won't understand what the poem is about and consequently make a fool of themselves.

If that is you, relax. A poem is not a poisonous snake. It will not bite and you do not have to tip-toe around it. Learning how to read poetry aloud is relatively straightforward and with practice you may even get to enjoy it!

Step One

• Read your chosen poem through silently several times to familiarize yourself with its core ideas and images. The more you understand the poem, the more your audience will understand it. Allow yourself to see the images created by the words in your imagination. Likewise feel the emotions. The more strongly you identify with or own the poem the easier it will be for your audience to follow.



• Look up any unfamiliar words in the dictionary for their meaning and pronunciation

• Read the poem quietly aloud to yourself following the guidelines given by the punctuation, listening for its musicality or beat.
  If you need them, there are tips for interpreting punctuation here



• Read slowly. Allow each word its space. The temptation is to rush. Resist it.



• Once you've 'got the flow', stand up and read the poem authoratively

• Now that you're more confident 'play' with your delivery. Experiment with vocal variety. For example, what happens if you stress this word rather than that word?
  You can find more about playing with vocal variety here.



• Rehearse in front of several friends before going 'live'. Have them give you feed back on clarity, (Could they hear and understand your words?), meaning (Did they understand the images and feelings of the poem?), speaking rate (Were you speaking too fast or too slow?) and voice (Too loud, too soft, too high, too low...).



• Incorporate the feedback and present your poem.

• You do not need a 'dramatic' voice to be successful. An assumed voice will seem artificial and strained.



• Remember to breathe. Holding your breath heightens tension, which in turn heightens the tone of your voice. Use the natural pauses in the poem to take a breath, for example on a full stop or period.



• If the occasion is emotional (for example,the poem is part of eulogy, wedding or retirement speech), print your poem out in a large font so it is easily read. Marking the pauses, breath or stress points using a highlighter, will also help you remember what you rehearsed.



• Stand tall and relaxed, just as you would for delivering a speech.



• If you need tips on managing public speaking anxiety,you'll find them here

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