How (not) to Read Poetry Out Loud

Since poetry has its roots in oral traditions, we miss a big part of what poetry does when we read it silently. However, it's common to hear people read poetry in a way that makes it harder to understand. In this video, we talk about how not to read poetry out loud and how to read it better.

Check out these poets reading their own work:
Ross Gay:    • Ross Gay reads at the 2015 National B...  
Kay Ryan:    • Kay Ryan reads "Octopus"  
Rita Dove:    • Rita Dove Performs "Daffodil"  
Ted Kooser:    • Ted Kooser reading his poem, Opossum  

0:00 Introduction
1:34 Poetry Isn't a Nursery Rhyme
3:30 Poetry Isn't a Monologue
6:08 Poetry Isn't That Deep
8:46 General Principles for Reading Poetry
11:11 Conclusion