Shakespeare Studies

Description

So basically you can choose any poem from the packet and find 3 elements for example- Imagery, Rhythm, Density, Alliteration and a theme about the poem. In each paragraph describe each element. Please make sure that Make sure your essay includes at least three paragraphs that support your thesis statement using “evidence” (direct quotations) from your chosen poem.
Learning Objectives

This assignment works to satisfy the following course learning objectives:

Interpret a literary text and support that interpretation with evidence gained from close reading;
Write clearly and coherently in varied, academic formats using standard English;
Write at least three formal, critical essays (minimum ten pages total) and one research paper.

Writing Prompt

Compose an essay that focuses on the diction (word choice) of ONE of the poems assigned in UNIT 1: Poetry. Begin with an introduction that names the poem/poet and provides background information on the subject matter and/or the writer, plus a clear thesis statement (opinion of how and why the author uses these devices to produce meaning in the poem, or in other words, how the poem uses words to say something about the content). Make sure your essay includes at least three paragraphs that support your thesis statement using “evidence” (direct quotations) from your chosen poem. Your conclusion should be a separate paragraph that restates your thesis statement (in different words) and leaves a lasting impression and a sense of closure (completeness)

Completing the Assignment

1. Choose one of the poems from Unit 1. Think carefully about which poem to choose. An ideal poem is one that produces a lot of ideas for you and which uses strong language (diction). A short poem is fine as long as you feel strongly that you have enough to say about the poem.

2. Read and re-read your poem very carefully. Look up unfamiliar words and record definitions for unfamiliar words. Remember that some words have more than one meaning. A poet may choose a different meaning for rhetorical effect (to produce a specific meaning or argument about the content).

3. Underline words/phrases in your poem that intrigue (interest) you. Record your observations or ideas about the words/phrases.

4. Next, consider how the words you underlined relate to the rest of the poem. How do they contribute to the use of literary devices? How do those devices create meaning? How does the diction create meaning?

7. Consider the tone and style of the language. Are there everyday slang words? Are the words fancy or elegant? Are there loan words from another language? Is there a mix of styles or tones? Once you decide what sort of language the poem employs, work on devising a thesis statement (statement of opinion) of how the diction and meaning of the poem work together to affect the reader.

8. Once you have a thesis statement (written into the conclusion), take your thesis statement in parts and write body paragraphs the work to support your thesis either through multiple examples, or separate examples that support the individual claims. For example, if your thesis is:

“The poem X by poet Y uses words related to intimacy to convey the idea that home is a place of comfort.”

Each paragraph could select a line or two or otherwise a passage of words that shows how intimacy relates to comfort. A paragraph might also focus on the idea of home as comfort itself. This would be an important way to emphasizes that the comforts of home extend across the poem. You could also discuss the structure of the poem, or how the ideas or lines combine to create this meaning.

9. Don’t forget to cite direct quotations and/or paraphrases by placing line numbers in parenthesis after the borrowed ideas or words. End your essay with a Work Cited that provides publication information about the poem you have been citing.

10. You conclusion should summarize the claims of the essay, but more important, explain why the literary strategy (word choice) you have discuss creates a powerful impression on the reader.