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First Essay

WRITE A PROPERLY STRUCTURED ESSAY OF 600 WORDS, FOLLOWING THE FORM SPECIFIED BELOW AND IN LESSONS/LINKS FOR CRITICAL ANALYSIS.

ANALYZE THE THEME OF A POEM FROM HOW TO APOLOGIZE, TO ARGUE THAT LESSON/THEME THE  POEM TEACHES US IS CORRECT.

NOTE: Papers will be graded on how well you can structure and support your thematic analysis.  The heart of an argument—a persuasive paper-- is the evidence.  Here, the evidence will be the quotes you chose to prove your point and your ability to discuss them.  You will not lose credit for a “wrong interpretation,” but you will not do well if you only deal with plot!

For help with how to read and analyze poems (explication) go to: http://www.writersunlimited.org/poetrylesson.htm and follow links.

I have a provided a sample paper that should help you understand how a poetry paper (critical analysis) is written: Sample Poetry Paper.

The outline below is the same form you will use throughout the first three papers. I have a lesson pertaining to your second, topical paper, which, while it is not about poetry, may also help you better understand how to follow this outline and  argue: How to Argue.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THIS FORM. 

I.        A. Thesis Statement: “Poem {title}” teaches we should {theme/lesson} because {reason}.

I         B. Brief discussion of what “Poem” is about.

N       C. Brief discussion of theme.

T        D. Brief discussion of reasoning.

R

O.  

II.       A. If we look at {some specific moment, event, action in “Poem”} we can see we should {the theme/lesson}.

1st     B. Set the scene for, introduce a quote from “Poem.”

E        C. Quote “Poem” (MLA).

X.       D. Paraphrase {put quote in your own words}.

           E.,  F.,  G.  Relate to theme.  Talk lot!  

III.      A. We can see that we should {same theme/lesson} if we look at {some specific moment, event, action in “Poem”}.

          B. Set the scene for, introduce a quote from “Poem.”

2nd    C. Quote “Poem” (MLA).

       D. Paraphrase.

3rd Examples....       E.,  F.,  G.  Relate to theme.  Talk lots more!  

IV.        A. We have look at {summarize, categorize your examples} to see that the poem

C             teaches us we should {theme/lesson}. 

O       B. Summarize first example.

N       C. Summarize second example {minimum of three examples for essay}.

C       D. Conclusion {the poems teaches us….because…}.      

L.

  NOTE: Although you aren’t using research resources to write this paper, in order to practice proper use of sources, you will be asked to use MLA form for all quotes in the paper and also to write one correct entry noting the “SOURCE CONSULTED” for your poem.