the poets
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Tips when reading poetry The style of the Harlem Renaissance poets captures the art of storytelling. The way a poem is read makes a difference in whether or not the story evokes the intended emotion. Former poet laureate Billy Collins offers tips for reading poetry out loud: He suggests it be read slowly in a normal, relaxed voice. The reader should not pause at the end of each line, but follow the punctuation in the poem. Unfamiliar words should be looked up in a dictionary in order for a person to fully understand the meaning of the poem.