PowerThinking Based on research composed by Dr. Ray Jones

How do we organize an essay? PowerThinking – Hierarchal in nature. Ways to organize information – Useful terminology for writing essays – Works for standard 5 paragraph essay to longer thesis/dissertation work

How it works P1 = THESIS – Every bit of writing in the paper should function to support your overall argument, or thesis P2 = subtopic, category of P1, detail of a P1 – These should be the specific, qualified elements of your thesis. – A reader should be able to identify how your P2 supports your P1 P3 = detail or subtopic of a P2 – These are further details that support your P2 (which in turn supports P1). – For shorter essays, these are often pieces of textual evidence. – The explanation of how a P3 supports/connects to a P2 must be explicit! P4 = detail or subtopic of a P3 … and so on ALWAYS be able to connect a subP to the P above it. (P2 to P1, P3 to P2, etc.)

What does this look like? PROMPT: Read the following poem carefully, paying particular attention to the physical intensity of the language. Then write a well-organized essay in which you explain how the poet conveys not just a literal description of picking blackberries but a deeper understanding of the whole experience. You may wish to include analysis of such elements as diction, imagery, metaphor, rhyme, rhythm, and form. P1 ANSWERS THE PROMPT – I should be able to disagree with your thesis! P1: The speaker of Heaney’s poem “Blackberry Picking” conveys a deeper appreciation of this pivotal event in which he articulates the belief that hope persists in the face of hopelessness through the use of naturalistic imagery, nostalgic diction, and consistent rhyme scheme. P2: NATURALISTIC IMAGERY – Naturalistic imagery employed in order to represent the cyclical patterns of life P2: NOSTALGIC DICTION – Nostalgic diction incorporated throughout the poem to suggest the timelessness of growth and decay P2: CONSISTENT RHYME SCHEME – Consistent rhyme scheme is mimetic of a children’s poem/song, connecting past experience with transcendental truth