1. Poetry Analysis Essay
10/2-3/2017

2.                                          
Learning Objectives
To write a Poetry Analysis Essay

3. The Poison Tree by William Blake
I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath,1 my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I waterd it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night.
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.
And into my garden stole,
When the night had veild the pole;
in the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

4. Forgiveness by Emily Dickinson
My heart was heavy, for its trust had been  Abused, its kindness answered with foul wrong;  So, turning gloomily from my fellow-men,  One summer Sabbath day I strolled among  The green mounds of the village burial-place;  Where, pondering how all human love and hate  Find one sad level; and how, soon or late,  Wronged and wrongdoer, each with meekened face,  And cold hands folded over a still heart,  Pass the green threshold of our common grave,  Whither all footsteps tend, whence none depart,  Awed for myself, and pitying my race,  Our common sorrow, like a mighty wave,  Swept all my pride away, and trembling I forgave!

5. SPLLATT – Poetry Analysis
Statement – What is the main message of the poem
Purpose – What is the poet trying to do to the reader
Language – What kinds of words does the poet use
Layout – How does the poem look on the page
Audience – Who is the poem aimed at?
Tone – What emotions come across when reading the poem
Technique – What techniques does the poet make use of.

6. Poetry Analysis Essay Look for To determine Ideas that Connect
Significant patterns
Relationships between parts of a work
To determine
a) What is the purpose or meaning of the poem?
b) How does the poet’s stylistic choices contribute to the overall structure, meaning, and impact of the poem?

7. Introduction
Thesis format - (Insert author’s name) uses ___, ___, and ___, (insert poetic devices) in (insert name of “poem”) to (illustrate, convey, reveal, or discuss) (insert the main idea or purpose of the poem).
In [poem’s name], [poet] employs [literary devices] to demonstrate [theme].

8. Body Paragraphs P1 – Literary Devices/Technique 1

9. Body Paragraphs
P: tell your reader the focus of your argument by starting with a topic sentence.
E: use evidence from the poem to prove what you are saying
E: Explain how your evidence supports your point
L: Link it to your next paragraph or expand.

10. Conclusion Restate your thesis
Make connections to the bigger picture – what does the poem say about humanity or how is it relevant to events today.