Topic, theme, tone, structure & diction

Whenever you study a poem, you will be called upon to analyse it. This means that you will need to know where the poet has used language techniques and how rhythm and meter is being used. You must be careful that in doing this you do not reduce the poem to individual and unrelated parts.

Topic

The first and probably easiest part of the process is to determine what the subject or topic of the poem is. This does not need to be the theme or message. It is simply to record what experience, object or feeling that the poet is writing about. This can be as simple as the poet writing about a balloon or a bicycle (objects) or a tenth birthday party or witnessing a person shoplifting (experience). Generally this topic or subject will be the springboard from which the poet develops his/her themes or the muse that inspires the poet to ponder something about life. Consider why the poet has chosen this topic.

What is it that has particularly caught the attention of the poet and inspired them to write a poem about it/based on it?

Themes and messages

The next step is to determine what the poet is trying to express. This is similar to purpose. You need to think about what the poet wants you to know more about now that you have read the poem or alternatively, how the poet wants to make you feel. Many poems don't have a message or point other than to amuse or entertain the reader. You should try not to be too concerned about whether your answer is 'correct' at this point. Keep an open mind and as you continue to analyse you may find other messages. Think about this non-exhaustive list of possible themes:

• To amuse
• The pains of growing up
• Lost dreams and hopes
• The folly of arrogance
• The nature of friendship
• The relationship between parent and child
• The nature of love
• The importance of honesty
• The importance of looking after the environment
• The nature of death
• The nature of birth
• The beauty of friendship/nature/love

Tone

In some ways tone has a similar effect on poetry as do emotion and mood. The tone of the poem will give you an idea about the composer's attitude towards the subject or topic. The tone is the tone of voice that the composer has used. A good way to understand this is to see the tone that we describe and use in English as being along the lines of:

'Don't use that tone of voice with me!'

Has anybody ever said this to you? What tone of voice were you speaking in? Possibly you had a sarcastic tone or a threatening tone. It is possible also to have a light-hearted tone or a serious tone. The important thing to remember is that the tone that is used implies a specific attitude towards topics or subjects.

 Structure

Poetry is a disciplined expression of the written word and the use of structures provide the tools of trade of poetry writing. Poetry structures have a set of rhyming patterns, metre, grammar and imagery.

Diction

Diction refers to both the choice and the order of words. It has typically been split into vocabulary and syntax. The basic question to ask about vocabulary is "Is it simple or complex?" The basic question to ask about syntax is "Is it ordinary or unusual?" Taken together, these two elements make up diction.