Poetry analysis paragraph example

Instructor: Dr. Regina L. Golar ENG 102 Poetry Essay
Poetry Essay Guidelines

For this essay, you will analyze ONE poem using ONE literary device. Your three-point thesis will state the three things you are arguing about the poem. Be sure to argue a thesis statement that goes beyond the obvious and is worth proving. (Note: This paper is worth 200 points toward your overall grade.)

DIRECTIONS: Write a five-paragraph poetic analysis in which you apply ONE literary device to ONE poem. (Remember, you are NOT summarizing what happens in the poem. You are analyzing.)

Let’s take a well-known nursery rhyme to illustrate how to approach this essay. The title is “Jack and Jill.” The *imaginary* author is Sharon Walters.

Jack and Jill went up the hill

To fetch a pail of water.

Jack fell down and broke his crown,

And Jill came tumbling after.

Sample Thesis I

In the poem “Jack and Jill,” author Sharon Walters utilizes a hill, a pail of water, and a crown to symbolize the various obstacles that humans face throughout life.

Notice that the thesis statement’s three points are the following: a hill, a pail of water, and a crown. Three different symbols are used. Thus, this thesis statement would fulfill the requirements of the assignment.

Sample Thesis II

In the poem “Jack and Jill,” author Sharon Walters uses a pail of water to symbolize the circle of life, the burdens of life, and the fluidity of life.

Notice that the thesis statement’s three points are the following: the circle of life, the burdens of life, and the fluidity of life. Only one symbol is used, but three arguments are made. Thus, this thesis statement would also fulfill the requirements of the assignment.

Example of Summary within a Paragraph

(INCORRECT; YOU ARE NOT SUMMARIZING FOR THIS ESSAY.)

In the poem, Jack and Jill go up the hill in order to fetch a pail of water.

Example of Analysis using SYMBOL as a Literary Device within a Paragraph

(CORRECT; YOU ARE ANALYZING FOR THIS ESSAY.)

In the poem, the hill symbolizes the upward journey that Jack and Jill must travel in order to succeed in life. In pairing Jack and Jill together, the author sends a hidden message to the reader that teamwork outranks individuality when facing uphill obstacles.

Poetry Essay Guidelines

Choose only one literary device. The literary devices that you may choose from to apply to the poem are the following: speaker, theme, tone, visual imagery, figures of speech, and symbol.

Choose only one poem. The poems that you may analyze are the following:

“Death of a Young Son by Drowning” p. 773; “She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways” p. 776; “A Certain Lady” p. 776; “Ballad of the Landlord” p. 778; “We Real Cool” p. 779; “Leaving the Motel” p. 831; “Woodchucks” p. 832; “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” p. 833; “Sympathy” p. 836; “Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone” p. 837; “Hubert Blankenship” p. 867; “That Time of Year Thou Mayst in Me Behold” p. 870; “Marks” p. 871; “” p. 872 (Due to the high volume of cheating, “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” cannot be written on for the poetry essay); “The Twenty-third Psalm” p. 878; “The Leap” p. 885; “Song” p. 887; “One Perfect Rose” p. 888; “” p. 892 (Due to the high volume of cheating, “The Road Not Taken” cannot be written on for the poetry essay); “The Vacuum” p. 893

Within your poetic analysis, be sure to provide at least one direct quotation for each body paragraph, which means you will have a minimum of three direct quotations for this essay. (Note: View page 5 of this document to learn how to cite your direct quotations correctly. The page is typed in green-colored font.)

ESSAY SUBMISSION: The complete submission should include only one document: your final draft. Essays should be submitted to Canvas. Each student will have only one opportunity to submit an essay to Canvas by the deadline. Therefore, students should be sure to submit the CORRECT draft of the assignment when they submit.

SOURCES: You will NOT use any outside literary resources to help you write this essay. You will rely on your own reading of the poem, form your own analysis, and construct your own argument. In other words, sparknotes.com, cliffsnotes.com, and all other cheat sites are prohibited!!! You will study the poem and provide your own interpretations based on evidence from the poem. (Note: An outside source can be used ONLY for the hook. See page 4.)

FORMAT: The essay is to follow MLA guidelines for format and documentation. (Note: View page 7 of this document to learn correct MLA format. The page is typed in orange-colored font.)