Language
The poet may use all sorts of tricks with language to achieve the poem’s desired effect on the reader. Words with double meanings can help introduce temporary confusion into the reader’s mind, as they try to work out which meaning the writer meant, and, in doing so, help them to gain a deeper understanding of the poem. Sometimes both meanings are meant to make sense in the context of the poem.
There are lots of loaded words in the English language too -like ‘death’, ‘womb’, ‘child’, ‘mother’, ‘sadness’, and so forth - that can signal strong associations. During our upbringing, we develop strong associations with certain words or phrases; for instance, ask ten people to quickly name something ‘big and grey’ and they will invariably say "an elephant". Satirical poems can use puns to make their witty comments on society and politics. Also look out for clichés that let the poem down, although this is unlikely if the author is one of the great poets. Powerful or memorable phrases that are likely to stick in the reader’s memory long after the poem has been read indicate good use of evocative (draws out emotions) language.
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