PICK YOUR POEM
“The History Teacher”
“Because I Could Not Stop for Death”
“Mid-Term Break”
“I, Too”
“Oh Captain, My Captain!”
“Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening”
“Those Winter Sundays”
“The Red Wheelbarrow” & “This is Just to Say” (do these together) Remember that the first one was on the dry-erase board.
“My Papa’s Waltz”
“Sonnet 130”
ANY OTHER poem by Emily Dickinson–pick one!
PROMPT: In a well-developed and organized essay with specific detail, evaluate and analyze the deeper meaning / theme of the poem.
STRUCTURE OF ESSAY:
Paragraph one: Break this paragraph into five distinct “pieces.” #1 Lead-in / hook the reader; #2 briefly mention the poet (first and last name) & the poem you will argue; introduce the “nuts and bolts” (basics) of your selected poem; insert a thesis about the poems at the bottom (argues the deeper meaning) + include an essay map. Suggested length: 8 – 12 sentences.
Paragraph two: Devote this paragraph to your poet. When did they live, and who were they? What type of poetry did they write? What other writings can be credit to this person? (Use www.poetryfoundation.org (Links to an external site.) for this information.) You may use your annotation information but please do not simply “plug it in” without changing it. Suggested length: 8 – 12 sentences.
Paragraph three: Devote this paragraph to a single technique that you feel is important to the meaning of the poem. For example, you might focus on tone (attitude of speak), and argue how and why it is important as a whole. Suggested length: 8 – 12 sentences.
Paragraph four: Devote this paragraph to a different technique that you feel is important to the meaning of the poem. For example, you might focus on natural imagery, personification, form, or word choice (pick one, please) and argue how this second technique is also crucial to understanding the poem. Suggested length: 8 – 12 sentences.
Paragraph five: It is time to “wind down” or “wrap things up.” Rather than continuing your argument, you should propose how and why this poem matters today. For example, what element of the poem (mourning, time, death, love, sacrifice, etc.) is still relevant? You should also consider a rhetorical question and / or an outside quote in this paragraph. Suggested length: 8 – 12 sentences
QUOTES
1. Paragraph two needs a biography quote.
2. Paragraph three needs quotes from the poem.
3. Paragraph four needs a quote from the poem.
Important: All quotes need to be centrally-located and they need to be preceded by either a comma or colon.
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS!
