A Brave Writer’s Life in Brief

“A poem will live or die depending on how it is read.”
~Billy Collins, former U.S. Poet Laureate

Before reading poetry aloud:

• Get to know the poem. Read it to yourself a few times.
• Look up unfamiliar terms.
• Practice hard-to-pronounce words so you won’t stumble over them.
• Notice if the poem is from the perspective of a character. If so, choose a voice that will convey that character: high or low, young or old, gruff or kind, serious or silly, etc.

When reading aloud:

• Relax. Most poetry is conversational. No need, usually, to be formal.
• Read slowly and clearly. Sometimes a humorous poem might need more speed but even then make sure to enunciate and don’t rush the punchline.
• Don’t give every word the same emphasis. Provide a little extra “punch” here and there.
• Only pause when there is punctuation, as you would when reading prose.
• Read with emotion but don’t overdo it. Let the words do the work.

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