Reading poetry is about conveying how the poem affects you personally, so you can add your own interpretation above the author (if you didn't write it yourself). Here are instructions for each step of reading poetry, from choosing a style that fits the poem to how to stay calm on stage.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing in Advance
Step 1. Know the rules
If you are attending a poetry competition, doing classwork, or entering a poetry reading competition, you should read all the rules carefully. You may be asked to select one or more poems from a certain time period, or poems that relate to a particular topic. Often, you will be asked to read a poem within a certain time frame.
Step 2. Choose a poem that you enjoy
Reading poetry allows you to show your audience how the poem affects your emotions and ideas. Try to find a poem that in some way makes you react, and that you would like to share with others. Unless you are participating in a poetry reading on a specific theme, you can choose any type of poem: silly, dramatic, serious, or simple. Don't try to pick a famous or serious poem if you don't enjoy it; all kinds of poetry can be displayed.
- If you don't know a poem you like, look up poetry collections in your library, or search online for poetry on a topic you enjoy.
- If you want to write your own poetry, you can find advice in the wikiHow article How to Write Poetry.
- If you are going to appear for a poetry reading competition, read the rules to see if you will be judged on the selected poem. In some competitions, you'll get more marks for choosing poems with complex ideas, changes in emotion, and variations in style.
Step 3. Learn how to pronounce and understand difficult words
If you're not sure how to pronounce all the words in a poem, look for videos of the poetry reading and listen carefully. You can also search for "how to pronounce _ " and usually find written explanations or videos. Look for definitions of words that you are not 100% sure of. Poetry often refers to two meanings of the same word, so knowing a new definition can teach you a whole new interpretation of a line.
If your poem is written in a non-standard dialect, or written more than 100 years ago, many of the words are pronounced differently than modern pronunciation guidelines. Try finding videos of the poetry reading, or poems written by the same author
Step 4. Listen to videos or audio recordings of people reading poetry (optional)
It doesn't matter if you're looking for famous actors reading Shakespeare or regular people recording their own poetry. It helps if the poem being read is one of your choosing, or has a similar style (loud and dramatic, realistic description, etc.). You should be able to tell within a minute whether you liked the reading of the poem. Keep looking until you find someone you like, and learn what they recorded. Think about why you liked the poem, and write down the answer to the question so you follow the good example.
- Do you enjoy poetry that is read slowly and steadily, or performances that are fast and slow to emphasize different feelings?
- Do you like a performer that exaggerates dramatic tone and movement, or one that sounds more natural and realistic?
- This is especially useful if you want to get better at poetry reading. Often listening to people you admire will teach you how to improve your skills.
Step 5. Take notes directly to mark how you will read them
Print or write at least one copy of your poem. Take notes right away to know when to stop, slow down, make a move, or change the pitch of your voice. This is called poetry marking, and you may have to experiment with different styles before finding one you like. Guess what might sound best, then read it aloud to see if you're right.
- If you listen to other examples of poetry, you should have some idea how you want to change the pace, pause, or change the pitch of the voice.
- There is no one way to write this note. Use any symbols or words that make sense to you, or highlight words you want to emphasize.
- Think about what fits the poem. Dramatic poetry like The Jabberwocky can be performed with extreme body movements and changes in facial expressions. Poems about the serene meadow landscape can be read slowly in a calm voice.
Step 6. Practice reading poetry more slowly than you would like
When you're in front of a lot of people, it's easy for nerves and adrenaline to get you up to speed. Even for poems that you want to read quickly, practice starting slowly, then picking up speed as they get more interesting or tense. (Indeed, the poem will start excitedly and then slow down, in which case you can practice slowing down.) Pause when it sounds natural so that the reading of the poem sounds smoother.
- Don't pause at the end of each line, unless you really think it sounds better that way. If your poem has punctuation, delay long pauses for the end of sentences, and shorter breaks for commas, brackets, and other punctuation.
- Set a time if there is a limit to how long the poem can be read. Generally, poetry readings only take a few minutes. If your performance lasts too long, try choosing a stanza or two that can stand alone, or choose a different poem. Don't try to read super fast to meet the time limit; it won't sound good.
Step 7. Focus on words more than acting
Even dramatic poetry has to be more about the poem itself, not the gestures and sounds it makes. You can exaggerate from normal life if you think it fits the style of the poem, but don't distract people from the actual meaning of the words.
- Try to pronounce each word clearly. Don't "swallow" the end of your sentence, making it indistinct or inaudible.
- If you're not sure what movement is appropriate, keep your elbows free by your sides and place one hand on top of the other, in front of your body. From this position you can make small, natural-looking movements, or stay still without looking too stiff.
- Every now and then, you can break this rule. When you perform in front of small children, they enjoy exaggerated movements and sounds. Some experimental poems may instruct you to make unreasonable sounds or include unusual actions in performances.
Step 8. Practice, practice, practice
Once you've decided when to take a break and what moves to make, you'll still need to practice a few times if you want to give your best effort. Try memorizing poetry even if you don't have to, as you'll sound more confident and appear more natural when you don't read from a piece of paper.
- Practicing in front of a mirror is a good way to get an idea of what the audience's perspective is like. You can also record a video of your performance and then view it to get an idea of what looks natural and what doesn't.
- Practice in front of a friendly audience if you can. One or two people will already be helping you adapt the idea of appearing in public. Ask them for advice afterward and try to consider every suggestion, even if you don't follow through later.
Part 2 of 3: Showing Poetry Reading
Step 1. Wear nice but comfortable clothes
Wear clothes that you enjoy wearing, but try to keep them neat and clean. You should also pay attention to personal hygiene. The goal is to stay comfortable and relaxed, but also to give the audience a ready and confident appearance.
If you're at a poetry contest or other place where the light is aimed at the performer or people taking photos, avoid wearing white. The bright light on white clothes makes it difficult for you to see clearly
Step 2. Learn how to deal with stage fright
Most people get nervous before performing, so have a plan for dealing with it. Lots of practice will make you more confident, but there are also ways to calm yourself down before your performance:
- Go somewhere quiet and calming. If you know how to meditate or want to learn how to do it, give it a try. Otherwise, try sitting still and looking around you instead of thinking about the show.
- Eat and drink as you would on a normal day. Eat familiar foods, and drink caffeinated drinks only if it's your daily habit. Just drink water right before performing to avoid dry throat.
- Calm yourself right before your performance by stretching your muscles, taking a walk, and humming a little to calm your voice.
- Take a few deep breaths before starting to perform. This will improve the sound and also calm your nerves.
Step 3. Stand straight
Good posture has many benefits while performing. In addition to making you look confident and ready in front of an audience, standing up straight will help you speak louder and clearer, so everyone can hear you.
Step 4. Make eye contact with the audience
When performing, you must look the audience in the eye. Move between them often, instead of staring at one person for too long, stop long enough to look them in the eye. This will get the audience's attention and make your appearance appear more natural.
If you're at a competition, don't just focus on the judges if someone else is in attendance. Pay attention to the entire audience, and also make eye contact with audiences who are not judges
Step 5. Make your voice heard by all audiences
There are several ways to make your voice sound louder and clearer without having to scream. Lift your chin slightly, shoulders pulled back, and back straight. Try speaking from a low voice in your chest, not your mouth and throat.
- Pronouncing each word clearly can also help your audience understand you.
- Take deep breaths during the performance so you don't run out of air.
- Bring a glass of water to the stage to refresh your voice if the poetry reading is longer than a minute or two.
Step 6. Learn how to talk into a microphone (if used)
Keep the microphone a few inches (about five inches) from your mouth and slightly below it. You have to speak into the microphone, not directly into it. Before you start performing, test the volume by introducing yourself or asking if your audience can hear you.
- If you have a microphone attached to the front of your shirt or collar, you don't need to speak directly to the person. Speak as if you were speaking to a small group. Do not turn the head too far or too fast, or the microphone will fall off.
- If you have a problem with the microphone, ask the person in charge of audio or the person in charge of the event for help. The viewer doesn't need to fix the sound equipment system problem.
Part 3 of 3: Recovering from Mistakes and Other Problems
Step 1. Keep going if you make a small mistake in the words
If you say "yang" instead of "nan" or make similar mistakes that don't change meaning or rhythm, don't panic. Go on with your performance without interruption.
Step 2. If you make a bigger mistake, pause and repeat that last line or two
Your audience will notice or get confused, so don't try to trick them by rushing through that section. You don't have to overreact: just pause and go back to the beginning of the line, or wherever you think makes the most sense.
The "bigger mistakes" include saying lines out of order, forgetting the next line, or messing up enough words to affect their meaning or rhythm
Step 3. Take a deep breath and start over if you completely forget the next line
Sometimes, your own anxiety will get in the way of your memory. If you've gone back a few lines and still can't remember how it went, go back to the beginning. The rhythm of reciting a line you've memorized usually leads to a section you thought you'd forgotten.
- Especially for long poems, go back a few stanzas, or about 10 lines.
- Keep a copy of the poem in your pocket in case you still can't remember the next line.
- If you didn't have a copy with you and still can't remember the next line, skip to the line you know. If you forget the rest of the poem, thank the audience calmly as if you've reached the end of the poem.
Step 4. If someone tries to talk to you in the middle of a poem, stop until the distraction is resolved
Audiences at poetry readings come to hear one person's performance, not debate. Anyone who tries to interrupt you should be dealt with quickly by the audience or person in charge.
Depending on how far you are from the beginning of the poem, you can start at the beginning or just go back until the natural beginning of the previous few lines
Step 5. Realize that mistakes are not as catastrophic as you think
Making mistakes on stage can actually make you a more confident performer in the long run. The fear of messing up appearances is almost always worse than it actually is. Review it once you've calmed down and realize that people will forget about the incident sooner than you think.
