Analyzing Poetry: The Stories Last

A constellation of poetry analysis skills awaits in this reading comprehension worksheet! Students will read an original 20-line poem that employs vivid imagery of the night sky to construct its central metaphor and explore themes of intergenerational wisdom. After reading, students will answer questions about the poem’s form, symbols, key vocabulary, and central theme. Finally, they can get creative and write advice for someone younger than them, using the poem’s theme as inspiration. 

This resource was designed to help middle schoolers exercise their ability to connect a poem’s symbolism and metaphor to its message. Additionally, learners will practice determining the meaning of a word from context, identifying the form of a poem, and connecting a title to a theme. 

Looking for even more poetry practice? Check out Analyzing Poetry: “The Song of Wandering Aengus” by William Butler Yeats and Analyzing Poetry: “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar.