Names:

Name of the Poem:

Poetry: Diction Worksheet
Directions: Answer the following questions with your group members. Make sure that
everyone is contributing and has their opportunity to share their thoughts. Remember,
the purpose of analyzing a poem for diction is to help determine the poem’s tone.
1. Read through the poem AT LEAST twice. Based on how the poem sounds and
any feelings that you had when you read it, what do you think the tone of the
poem is? (Note: this question doesn’t have to be 100% perfect, just write down
your initial thoughts)

2. Before you can begin to understand any poem, you must determine the speaker
of the poem. Who is the speaker of the poem?

3. Who is the speaker speaking to? Why do you think so?

4. In the space below, write the words or phrases that stick out the most in the
poem.

5. Are there any connections between the words above? If so, what are they? Do
these words seem positive, negative, a little of both, or entirely neutral?
Tone vocabulary:

angry sad sentimental sharp cold

fanciful upset urgent complimentary silly
joking giddy bored poignant sympathetic
proud seductive happy dramatic didactic
understanding pitiful mocking horrified somber
restrained provocative humorous dreamy condescending
sweet irreverent weary afraid apologetic
benevolent vexed shocked childish objective
detached zealous candid sarcastic contemptuous
nostalgic confused hollow mournful ecstatic

6. Above is a list of words that can be used to describe a poem’s tone. Do any
these fit as the tone of your poem? Does another word fit better? Explain your
answer.

7. In a single sentence, state what the tone of the poem is.

8. Using specific words/phrases from the poem, explain how the diction developed
and established the tone. This must be AT LEAST 3 full, well-written sentences.
(Like something you would write in an essay)
How Do I Love Thee
Elizabeth Barret Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.