Surface reader

A Surface reader shows some basic understanding and is likely to quite enjoy reading the poem, but tends to answer quickly without looking at the details of the text.

Next steps: find accessible poems on topics of particular interest and begin to discuss their meaning.

Reasoning reader

A Reasoning reader has a good understanding of what they have read, is quite likely to enjoy exploring poetry and is able to use inference and deduction to make sense of the text.

Next steps: take a closer look at how different effects are created by say humour, imagery, word play and poetic language.