EVALUATING POETRY FOR CHILDREN

• How does the rhythm of the poem reinforce and create the meaning of the poem?




• If the poem rhymes, does it sound natural or contrived? Explain.




• How does the sound of the poem add to its meaning?




• Does the poem use alliteration? Onomatopoeia? Repetition? To what effect?




• Does the poem create sensory images of sight, touch, smell, or taste? List some of the poem's sensory images.




• Are these images related to children's delight in their particular senses? How?




• What is the quality of imagination in the poem? Does the poem make the child see something in a fresh, new way, or does it rely on tired clichés? Provide examples to support your answers.




• Is the figurative language appropriate to children's lives? Are the similes and metaphors ones that a child would appreciate and understand? Provide examples.




• What is the tone of the poem? Does it patronize childhood by looking down on it? Is it didactic and preachy? Does it see childhood in a sentimental or nostalgic way? Offer examples to support your answer.




• Is the poem appropriate for children? Will it appeal to them, and will they like it? Why or why not?




• How has the poet created the emotional intensity of the poem? Does every word work to heighten the feelings conveyed? Are there extraneous words?




• Does the shape of the poem—the placement of the words—contribute to the poem's meaning? How?




• What is the purpose of the poem? To amuse? To describe in a fresh way? To comment on humanity? To draw parallels to our lives? How well has the poet achieved this purpose? How has the poet achieved this purpose?