Analytical Essay about a Poem

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An Analytical Essay about a Poem Choose one of the following topics (1 or 2 below): 1. Write a paper in which you analyze the theme in one of the following poems: • Mary Oliver, “Singapore” • Philip Levine’s “What Work Is” • Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” 2. Write a paper in which you discuss one of the following poems, in terms of the inner conflict within the self: • Mary Oliver, “Singapore” • Philip Levine’s “What Work Is” • Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” The idea behind critical analysis of literature is to write an essay that explains how a work demonstrates its themes. Develop a thesis (with three major points) in which you state your interpretation of the poem, and then in the body paragraphs argue for your belief (and provide support from the poem itself). Your support for your argument should come from the poem itself—and that means you should quote often from the poem. However, quoting from the poem does NOT mean quoting entire stanzas; quotations should be sprinkled through your discussion (individual words, phrases, and occasional lines). Quote what is significant. Length: 500 words (12-point font, double-spaced, 1″ margins) Support: Quote liberally from the poem to illustrate your statements. Quoting from a poem: • When quoting 2-3 lines of poetry, use the slash to separate lines. • Long quotes (4 lines or more) should be blocked (indented)—and those passages should appear just as in the text. Omit quote marks ONLY when blocking a quote. Sources: The poem you are analyzing should be your ONLY source for this paper. MLA Documentation: • After quoting from a poem, provide a parenthetical citation (citing the line numbers). • Additionally, provide a works cited page; see the OWL at Purdue site online. Proofread your paper carefully and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and sentences. Make sure poem titles are always in quote marks. Also, your paper will need a title. Submission: • Save your file as a Word file (.docx or .doc) or .PDF file name your file, with your last name in the file name: JonesEssay1.docx. • Submit your file in the Assignment link in Eagle Online Canvas. Turnitin check: Your essay will be subject to a Turnitin check as to the originality of the paper. You should be aware of the Academic Honesty Policy stated on the Syllabus; it is expected that this paper is TOTALLY your own work of analysis and writing—do NOT consult information on the Internet in any fashion, and do NOT collaborate with friends/classmates. ANY matches that Turnitin points out to Internet materials, library materials, or student papers in its database can result in the grade of zero on your paper. Review of the 500-word theme: 1. Paragraph I—Introduction—100-125 words (or 5-12 sentences) • Lead-in (mention the title of the work, the author’s name, and the date of composition) • Provide a brief synopsis (2-3 sentences, with the gist of the work) • Thesis statement—list the points to be developed in the body of the paper (three aspects of the poem, perhaps related to meaning or images or symbols) 2. Paragraph 2—First Body Paragraph—100-125 words (or 5-12 sentences) • Follow the topic sentence with support—and in a literary analysis, that means quotations, quotations, quotations! 3. Paragraph 3—Second Body Paragraph—100-125 words (or 5-12 sentences) • Follow the topic sentence with support—and in a literary analysis, that means quotations, quotations, quotations! 4. Paragraph 4—Third Body Paragraph—100-125 words (or 5-12 sentences) • Follow the topic sentence with support—and in a literary analysis, that means quotations, quotations, quotations! 5. Paragraph 5—The Conclusion—100-125 words (or 5-12 sentences) • Mirror the introduction—restate the thesis, restate the major points without being repetitive • End with an important thought, a provocative idea, a quote Thesis Statements: You are responsible for finding your own thesis statement, which is the main focus of the paper. To do this, you need to read the poem several times, annotate in the margins (look for patterns, repetitions, make comments), do some thinking and prewriting in which you explore the complexities and issues in the poem, consider the writer’s intentions, and then choose your own narrowed approach. Develop a thesis statement that provides a blueprint for your paper, listing three major points you hope to illustrate—each major point to be developed in a body paragraph. Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence and several example sentences—and in a literary analysis, quotations from the work of literature are the examples. Further guidelines on writing the paper: Do NOT summarize the poem. Your goal is to interpret the poem. Also, do not retell the life of the author of the poem—again, your goal is to interpret. For example, if you see three major images in the poem that relate to the overall meaning, you would illustrate by quoting from the poem. And this concept for your paper comes out of your reading of the work, your interaction with the work, your marginal annotations—your thought process!!