-state what is happening in the story: this is the topic/subject, the plot/narrative, the characters or speaker(s), or any other foundational material that set the premise for understanding the story. You do not have to exhaust all possibilities, but I should know in general what the poem is about from your first couple of sentences — this is NOT the strengths section yet.

-state the strengths of the story with DIRECT reference to parts of the poem, preferably direct quotation (make sure to be citing direct quotation or paraphrase) — now you can praise the poem.
-state the weaknesses of the story with DIRECT reference to parts of the poem (as above) — now you can say what’s not working well
-state suggestions for these weaknesses (or to further the strengths or any kind