Famous Poems to Practice Identifying Speaker and Audience (Grade 7)

📚 Navigating Poems: Speaker & Audience

Understanding who is speaking in a poem (the speaker) and who they are speaking to (the audience) is like finding the key to unlock its true meaning! The speaker isn't always the poet; it can be a character, an object, or even an abstract idea. The audience might be a specific person, a group, or even themselves. Identifying these elements helps us grasp the poem's tone, purpose, and deeper messages, making poetry much more engaging.

✍️ Part A: Vocabulary Challenge

Match the term to its correct definition. Write the letter of the definition next to the term.

• 🗣️ Speaker:
• 👂 Audience:
• 🎶 Tone:
• 🎨 Imagery:
• 💡 Theme:

1. The central message or underlying idea the poet wants to convey.
2. The person, group, or entity to whom the poem's speaker is directing their words.
3. The voice narrating the poem; not necessarily the poet themselves.
4. Words or phrases that appeal to the five senses, creating vivid mental pictures.
5. The attitude of the speaker or author toward the subject or audience.

🧩 Part B: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the paragraph below using the words provided:

When analyzing a poem, it's crucial to identify the _______. This is the voice telling the poem, which could be a character or even an inanimate object. Next, consider the _______. Who is the poem meant for? Is it a specific person, a general reader, or perhaps the speaker talking to themselves? Understanding these elements helps us better grasp the poem's overall _______, allowing us to connect with its message and emotions.

• ✒️ Word Bank: speaker, audience, tone

🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking

Answer the following question in 2-3 sentences:

• 🧐 Why is it important to identify both the speaker and the audience when you are trying to understand a poem? How does this help you interpret its meaning?