How to Use Poetry to Build Reading Comprehension Skills

7 November 2025

Reading comprehension sometimes feels like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded—frustrating, slow, and confusing. But what if I told you there’s a secret weapon that can make it easier? Enter poetry!

Poetry isn't just for hopeless romantics or moody teenagers scrawling in their notebooks—it’s a powerhouse tool for improving reading comprehension skills. It teaches students to slow down, focus on meaning, and engage with language more deeply. Let’s break down exactly how poetry can turn struggling readers into word wizards.

The Magic of Poetry for Reading Comprehension

If reading comprehension is the engine of literacy, poetry is the premium fuel that keeps it running smoothly. Why? Because poetry forces the reader to engage with words on a whole new level. Unlike regular prose, where sentences follow predictable structures, poetry plays with language, rhythm, and meaning.

When readers interact with poetry, they sharpen their ability to:

- Decode difficult words
- Interpret meaning from context
- Identify literary devices and figurative language
- Analyze themes and emotions

And the best part? Poetry doesn’t overwhelm with long paragraphs or pages of dense text. It’s bite-sized but packed with meaning—like a tiny but mighty espresso shot for the brain!

How Poetry Enhances Reading Comprehension

1. It Encourages Close Reading

Poetry doesn’t spoon-feed meaning. Readers have to slow down, examine every word, and read between the lines. A single poem can carry layers of meaning that require multiple readings to fully grasp.

For instance, take Robert Frost’s famous line:

> "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
> I took the one less traveled by,
> And that has made all the difference."

At first glance, it’s about a simple walk in the woods. But with a closer look, it’s about life choices, personal growth, and the path less followed. This kind of analysis strengthens comprehension skills by training readers to look beyond the obvious.

2. It Builds Vocabulary Without Feeling Like Work

Reading poetry is like a fun vocabulary workout. Poets often use rich, descriptive, and sometimes unusual words that push readers to expand their linguistic horizons.

For example, in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,” you get words like “quoth,” “ebony,” and “obeisance”—all of which make you feel like you've time-traveled to another era! Rather than feeling like a dull vocabulary drill, encountering new words through poetry feels natural and engaging.

3. It Teaches Rhythm and Fluency

Ever noticed how some sentences just flow effortlessly? That’s rhythm at work! Poetry helps readers develop a natural sense of rhythm and pacing.

Think of Dr. Seuss—his playful rhymes (“I do not like green eggs and ham...”) help kids recognize sound patterns, making reading smoother and more fluid. When readers develop fluency, they’re better at grasping meaning without stumbling over words.

4. It Strengthens Inferencing Skills

Poetry is often filled with metaphor, symbolism, and hidden meanings. Unlike straightforward texts, poems make the reader work for meaning.

For example, in Emily Dickinson’s poem "Hope is the thing with feathers," hope isn’t literally a bird, but it’s described that way to evoke a specific feeling. Readers must infer the deeper meaning, a skill that translates directly to reading comprehension in all forms of literature.

5. It Sparks Emotional Connections

Let’s be real—textbooks can be... well, a bit dry. But poetry? It’s packed with emotion. Whether it's love, loss, joy, or struggle, poetry makes us feel something.

When students connect emotionally with words, they remember them better. Engaging with poetry can make reading feel more personal, which leads to deeper comprehension and retention.

How to Use Poetry in Reading Comprehension Lessons

Now that we know why poetry rocks, let’s talk about how to use it effectively. Here are some engaging strategies to bring poetry into reading comprehension lessons:

1. Start with Short, Simple Poems

If students are new to poetry, throwing them into Shakespeare or Sylvia Plath might make them want to run for the hills. Instead, start with short, engaging poems—perhaps a fun haiku or a playful limerick.

Some beginner-friendly options:

- Shel Silverstein’s humorous poems
- Dr. Seuss’s rhyming books
- Haikus about nature

These shorter formats ease students into analyzing poetry while keeping things fun.

2. Use the “Read, Reflect, Re-read” Method

A single reading won’t always unlock a poem’s meaning. Encourage students to:

1. Read once for an initial impression.
2. Reflect on key themes, emotions, or words.
3. Re-read it with a deeper focus on meaning and structure.

Each pass allows the student to uncover new layers—kind of like peeling an onion (minus the tears).

3. Teach Poetry Annotation

Marking up a text isn’t just for studying novels! Give students colored pens or highlighters and have them annotate poems.

- Underline important words or phrases
- Circle words they don’t understand
- Highlight figurative language (metaphors, similes, personification)

This interactive approach helps them visually break down the poem’s meaning.

4. Encourage Performance Poetry

Sometimes, hearing a poem out loud makes all the difference. When students read poems aloud—or even act them out—it reinforces rhythm, emotion, and meaning.

Challenge students to “perform” their favorite poem, experimenting with tone, pace, and emphasis. Poetry slams, anyone?

5. Prompt Students with Open-Ended Questions

Instead of asking yes/no questions, encourage deeper thinking with open-ended prompts like:

- “How does the poem make you feel?”
- “What do you think the poet is saying about life?”
- “Which words or phrases stood out to you the most, and why?”

This sparks discussion and personal interpretation, which is way more engaging than “What is the main idea?”

Poetry and Comprehension: A Perfect Match

At the end of the day, poetry isn’t just about rhymes and pretty words—it’s a powerful tool for enhancing reading comprehension. It teaches students to engage deeply with language, infer meaning, and appreciate the nuances of writing.

So, the next time you’re looking for a fresh way to boost reading comprehension skills, try weaving poetry into the mix. Who knows? You might just create the next generation of poetry lovers (or at least turn reading into less of a chore).

And hey, if nothing else, you’ll get to enjoy some beautiful verses along the way!