Analytical Essay Poem 6

Agenda Bio Essay with its Annotated Bibliography Due Friday!! MLA citation link on website Cite Me Annotating Experts Poem 6 Selection Essay Explanation- Notes required

Impact/Explain Devices Intense Annotation Theme Impact/Explain Devices Devices/Structure/ TITLE!!! Tone and Mood Personal Comments Bump it up a level!! Make sure that you have all of these steps! What patterns do you notice as you read? Context: Who? What? When? Where? Why?

Annotation Possibilities… Once you have annotated then you will notice patterns and be able to choose roughly 3 elements from your poem that you will use for your essay. The analytical/ explication essay serves to dig and rip the poem apart, no longer just personally, but also technically. How do the choices that the poet is making serve to shape the theme of the poem?

Writing a Poetry Analysis Essay A poetry analysis essay is a way of showing that you have an informed opinion of a poem you have read, that is valid and solidly rooted in the text itself. Nothing more!!!!!!!

WRITING A POETRY ANALYSIS ESSAY It’s important to remember from the outset: An essay question has no ‘right’ answer. An English essay is not an ‘answer’ in that way at all, rather, it’s an informed opinion; but, like all opinions, it’ll require explanation, argument and support. It requires you to argue your case. You can breathe easy on that one. It’s just not like that. This is English and we leave those kinds of ‘right answers’ to the mathematicians and scientists

NOW, Think About How the Poem Works Analyze the poem: Since your analysis should make up the bulk of your essay, approach it with care. Knowing that you will not be able to address every aspect of the poem, select the elements which work together to create special effects. Look beyond the surface meaning of the words and start to think about how the techniques used in the poem add depth to its meaning. How do the elements work together? Do they complement each other, do they create tension, or both? Think in terms of cause and effect and look for relationships within the poem itself. For example, if you see a pattern of imagery which suggests something about the speaker, look at other areas of the poem for more evidence along the same lines. In poetry, form and content are inseparable, so you must not overlook the relationship between what the speaker says and how he or she says it.

"So what is this poem all about?" INTERPRET THE POEM Using your analysis of how the poem works as your evidence, interpret the poem--answer the question "So what is this poem all about?" In the interpretation, you bring together your analysis of the elements in the poem and show what they mean to the poem as a whole. You may suggest an interpretation of the speaker's state of mind, the poem's subject, or the nature of the experience which the poem creates.

DIRECTION and PLANNING

THE POETRY ESSAY FOLLOWS THE BASIC 5 PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE

CONSTRUCTING YOUR THESIS Thesis: Review your notes. Look for patterns and themes. Formulate a thesis statement that will allow you to explain the relationships and the effects of elements in the poem. If you can, indicate in the thesis the areas or features of the poem important to your argument (a pattern of imagery, for instance, or a series of crucial lines). Remember, your thesis statement must argue a point; instead of simply saying that a poet uses certain poetic devices, you must give some indication in your thesis as to how those devices work and what they do to the poem's meaning. You do not need to go into elaborate detail in your thesis, but do show the relationship between the poem and your argument

Sample thesis: In the poem, Maya Angelou uses repetition, similes that conjure imagery, and symbolism to effectively communicate the importance of persevering through any number of obstacles, no matter how great. TS #1: Repetition is the conscious and decisive replication of words or phrases. TS #2: Similes that conjure imagery are used frequently throughout the poem and are highly relevant to understanding the theme of the poem. TS #3: Symbolism is another figurative device that effectively communicates the theme of the poem to the reader.

TOday

Today: The poem you choose to write your essay about must be rich enough that you can identify multiple elements and choices that the poet has made to produce meaning. There is no minimum length requirements for such a poem, but be kind to yourself. A poem that initially intimidates you is a great chance to investigate and produce a great essay.

Continued… Annotate your poem until there are only bones left. Identify the elements of the poem that you would like to talk about and are the most important (in your mind). What are the best poetic devices? What effect do they have? What is the theme of the poem? Draft your thesis statement and leave blanks for you to add your topic sentences. Post this on the side board and blow those 10’ers away with your brilliance!!