It probably didn't surprise you to learn that poets are quite picky about words. Sometimes poets choose words to create a tone—perhaps sadness for a difficult situation they're describing, or joy for a happy moment captured in the poem. At other times, they choose words for the connotations and multiple meanings that enrich a poem.

Since poets take their time considering and choosing words, it's usually worthwhile for readers to think a bit about these considerations. Use the activity below to review word choice in poetry and to remember how much just the right word can add to a poem and its mood. Read the words in each list, and match them to the kind of poem and mood they would most contribute to.