How Do You Read Poetry Out Loud?
• In the days (or even just minutes, in some classes) leading up to the recitation or reading, practice. First, read the poem and quiz yourself on it until you know it by heart. Practice it as often as you can. • Prepare yourself for the actual presentation. Drink a glass of water before hand to moisten your throat for the reading. If you have a fear of public speaking, try breathing exercises to calm yourself. Practice once or twice before you make your presentation. Make sure you can recite your poem perfectly. • Recite or read the poem. Don’t read like a robot, put emotion into your project! Depending on the situation, you can glitz it up and use inflection or movement to make a point. After you’re done, get another sip or two of water, and calm down. It’s over, you did great. If you think you didn’t perform well, you have more motivation for next time. But it’s nothing to stress about any longer.
