Description
This resource includes an individual poetry analysis of two powerful poems, “I, Too” by Langston Hughes and “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman. Together, these texts invite students to explore voice, identity, and the idea of America through poetry while engaging in meaningful comparison and reflection.
As students analyze the poems, they examine key literary elements such as tone, repetition, rhythm, theme, allusion, symbolism, alliteration, and irony. The questions guide students toward close reading and deeper interpretation, helping them understand how each poet conveys perspective and purpose.
Students then respond to a constructed response question that asks them to reflect on both poems while also making connections to their own personal experiences. This reflective component encourages critical thinking, empathy, and thoughtful written expression.
An editable Word document is included, allowing teachers to modify questions or adjust the activity to best fit their classroom needs. This flexibility makes the resource easy to adapt for different grade levels or instructional goals.
Perfect for middle school and high school ELA, this paired poetry analysis supports close reading, comparison, and personal reflection through two influential American poems.