But, It’s Too Hard! Approaching difficult poetry and prose without Mrs. Buchanan

Scenario: TPCASTT this poem… Much Madness is divinest Sense By Emily DickinsonEmily Dickinson To a discerning Eye — Much Sense — the starkest Madness — ’Tis the Majority In this, as All, prevail — Assent — and you are sane — Demur — you’re straightway dangerous — And handled with a Chain —

Steps for Understanding Difficult Poetry 1.Read it once. Then read it again. 2.Look up the words you don’t know and write a synonym for that word above each one. 3.Re-read the poem using the synonyms you found. Make sure you reference any footnotes. 4. Google search online summaries for the poem, and then re- read the poem after reading the summary. 5.Finish the TPCASTT. Read the poem out loud. Listen to your partner read it out loud. Work with your partner on analyzing the poetry- actually have a discussion about it! After you have tried these things, then as Mrs. B for help and be very specific about where you are confused. Remember Billy Collins’ advice: approach it with an attitude of curiosity and discovery, not dread and pain!

Credible Web Sources for Poetry Help Online Dictionary Online Thesaurus (for synonym) Online Thesaurus (for synonym) Spark Notes Poetry Help How to Read a Poem